1. Wrap your hands around both the camera and lens so that your right hand is both supporting the camera’s weight and pressing the shutter release, and your left hand is enveloping the lens from the bottom. Holding the camera in this manner will provide the much-needed stability to prevent shaking, blurriness, or blockage.
2. Use your body to provide stability by tucking in your elbows close to your torso. By not overextending your reach, you will cut down on the amount your body trembles. Using the viewfinder, and not the digital screen, will help you to find this position naturally.
3. You can increase stability by kneeling down and forming your body into a tripod. Either get down on one knee and prop your elbows against that leg, or sit down and prop each elbow on their respective knees. This will give you that extra support to help prevent blurry photos.
4. Lean on something. Pick a tree, a bench, or another handy object, and level and lean against it to steady yourself.
5. Once you line up your shot, push the shutter release, but only halfway. This will focus your lens and set you up for a clear picture.
6. Once you’ve focused your camera, take a deep breath and exhale at the same time you push down the remainder of the shutter release. With practice, this should become one fluid motion. Breathing can move your body around quite a bit, so make sure that you and your camera are working as one.
7. If you plan to take photos outside, bring any necessary accessories that will help you focus on the shot more than the surroundings. Some helpful accoutrements might include a mat for kneeling down, bug spray, long pants, etc.
8. Take your photos with confidence. Not every photo is going to be perfect, and that’s okay. Don’t anticipate the shot, just let the moment wash over you as you capture it. Unless you’re shooting something incredibly time sensitive, such as a wedding ceremony, don’t rush it.
9. As always, practice makes perfect. Once you get more comfortable with your camera and taking photos, you will be able to nail a perfect shot (almost) every time.
Kelsey Fox
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