Yes, it's true that many fancy new camera's have built in image stabilization. But what if your's doesn't have it? Can you still take great photos without a tripod? Of course! I'm going to show you some simple insider tricks to improving your chances of taking great crisp photos.
Are You Holding Your Camera Wrong?
This tip is for those people who have a digital SLR or film camera with a viewfinder. It's surprising how just learning to hold your camera properly can massively cut down on the amount of blurry photos you take. It's simple. You want to hold the camera firmly against your forehead when lookingthrough the viewfinder. You're basically using your face as a camera support. You will probably end up with some smudges and nose prints on the back of your camera, but they can be easily wiped off and you'll be happy with the reduction in blurred photos. Your other hand should be holding your lens from underneath. This simple setup creates a solid platform for your camera similar to a tripod.
Elbows In, Not Out
This applies to both SLR and small point and shoot cameras. Tucking your elbows in to your sides stabalizes your arms and reduces shake compared to having your arms floating in front of you.
Lean on Me
This may seem obvious, but leaning against something is another great way to reduce the chances of a blurry shot. Lamp posts, railings and walls are all great choices. This works extremely well in low light conditions where you can't use a flash. Combined with the elbow tuck, you can get clean shots that would normally be impossible under these lighting conditions.
Improvise a Tripod
This works well in indoor situations and for outdoor long exposures and night shots. Simply find something to rest your camera on! You can use books, coasters and boxes to get the correct height that you need. Make sure to use the self timer when doing this. It is essential in order to get non-blurry shots. Just pushing the shutter release with your finger will introduce enough vibration to make longer exposures a complete blurry mess.
There you go. Some simple and easy tips to get great crisp shots. Give these a try and I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised at how effective these techniques are. Happy shooting!
