We’ve all had at some point in our photography a problem with camera shake and the resulting blurry image. Looking at the image on the LCD screen of the camera, we see a nice image. But once we get home and view it on the computer or print it at a photo lab, the disappointment begins. How do we solve this problem? Let’s take a look at some simple steps to remove camera shake.
1. Tuck your elbows
By tucking your elbows into your body tightly, you help stabilize the camera and make it one with your body. This prevents camera shake when your arms move even slightly. You want a firm platform for your camera. This is especially true when shooting with a wide aperture or slow shutter speed. Before you press the shutter, take a deep breath in, then breathe out completely. You want to avoid even the slightest movement when breathing.
2. Separate the feet
By placing your feet slightly apart and standing firmly but comfortably, you build a solid foundation. This will help you maintain your balance and anchor you firmly to the ground. Balance is very important when shooting while standing up. Never put your weight on one foot as it will start to sway slightly. This is usually enough to add a bit of movement that takes the blur out of an image.
3. Use a tripod or monopod
When the situation allows, use a tripod. There’s nothing like a sturdy tripod to completely eliminate camera shake. When shooting in low light, you need to slow down your shutter speed to let more light in. This will dramatically emphasize camera shake because even the best photographer can’t completely eliminate it. If a tripod isn’t possible, a monopod can be extremely helpful. Not as sturdy as a tripod, it will give you a firm base for your photo shoot.
4. A beanbag
A small bean bag is an essential item in any photographer’s photo bag. This allows you to rest your camera on a firm surface that forms a cushion for your camera. Any surface that will securely hold your camera is a temporary tripod. But, none of us want our cameras to get scratched or damaged by a rough or dirty ride, so this is where the bean bag comes in handy. If you don’t have one, use any cloth bag and fill it with rice or corn and then sew or staple it together.
5. Remote shutter
All DSLRs have an input for an electronic shutter. They are not expensive and are invaluable when using a tripod or bean bag. Even with a tripod you introduce vibration when you press the shutter button. What the shutter release does is allow you to press the camera’s shutter via the cable that connects to the camera. This can also be wireless using a remote control. You can also use the shutter release timer setting that allows a delay between when you press the shutter and when the photo is taken.
6. Mirror lockup
A digital SLR camera has a mirror that is in front of the shutter that covers the sensor. This reflects the image through the viewfinder. When you press the shutter button, the mirror flips up so the image can be exposed on the sensor. When the shutter closes again, the mirror falls back into position. This causes micro-vibrations that cause small camera shake even though the camera is mounted on a tripod or bean bag. Most SLR cameras have a setting called mirror lockup. Once you’ve composed your photo, turn on mirror lockup. You will no longer be able to see the image through the viewfinder. Now press the remote shutter release and the photo is taken without additional vibrations from the mirror.
These are just a few tips to reduce camera shake and sharpen your images. There are many other tips that I will cover in a future article. In the meantime, give them a try and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the improvement in your images.