Please describe your handholding technique.

[Bosk]

I recently acquired a soft-release (from Leicatime) for my M2 and though I haven't had a chance to evaluate the difference it's made I'm very impressed with the improvement in handling.

This has led me to re-evaluate my handholding technique, and see if I could perhaps make some improvements - with the aim of achieving sharp shots at 1/15, 1/8 and perhaps even 1/4.


So how would you describe your own handholding technique?
Are there any tricks you use?

Cheers.

[visiondr]

Here's what I do... Much of this will seem pretty obvious to some but, here's my method. Cradle the lens under the palm of the left hand, holding the body firmly, yet not "gripping" with the right hand. Support yourself on or against anything solid nearby. Just prior to releasing the shutter, begin to slowly exhale through your nose as you gently squeeze the shutter release through to the point of the shutter firing. I don't use a soft release because I like to feel the collar surrounding the button around my fingertip. I seem to be able to get some pretty decent shots down to about 1/15 or even 1/8 with a 50mm.

Ron

[Todd.Hanz]

BRASS- Breathe, Relax, Aim, Stop, Squeeze

That's how I learned to shoot rifles in the Marine Corps, seems to work well up to a 1/4 second for me. Another Jarhead trick is to keep your elbows in to your side, resting on your ribcage, exhale and squeeze off a round down range...er, a frame ;).

Todd

[Trius]

Yes, shoot at the bottom of an exhale, NOT holding your breath. Holding your breath makes your body more rigid and transmits more vibration to the camera, IMO.

1/4s f1.7, Kodak 400BW

http://static.flickr.com/98/255304539_5bd979d0f5.jpg?v=0

[MadMan2k]

Yep, just keep your arms tucked into your side and get a steady stance.. if it's cold and you're shivering, forget it, tripod or don't bother IMO

[George Bonanno]

Todd is right... B R A S S is where it's at. However, as always, practice makes perfect. If you really want to get good at slower shutter speed shooting you must practice this with film in your camera and then analyze each and every shot. This procedure takes time and a great effort on your part. I'm talking 1/8 sec to 4 seconds and longer... maybe.

http://www.2x2l.com/crackhead.jpg
Crackhead posing at 2 AM
Exposure... 4 seconds wide open
Leica IIIf with borrowed 28mm Hektor
VIOOH & TUVOO

[Bosk]

Thanks for your contributions so far.:)


That shot taken at 4 seconds handheld is pretty amazing!:eek:

[kshapero]

Here's what I do... Much of this will seem pretty obvious to some but, here's my method. Cradle the lens under the palm of the left hand, holding the body firmly, yet not "gripping" with the right hand. Support yourself on or against anything solid nearby. Just prior to releasing the shutter, begin to slowly exhale through your nose as you gently squeeze the shutter release through to the point of the shutter firing. I don't use a soft release because I like to feel the collar surrounding the button around my fingertip. I seem to be able to get some pretty decent shots down to about 1/15 or even 1/8 with a 50mm.

Ron
Doing As Ron says, about 50% of the time I get a good shot at 1/4 of a second shooting a 40mm. I also have a mini soft release which really helps, I think.

[Mark Eggers]

BRASS- Breathe, Relax, Aim, Stop, Squeeze

That's how I learned to shoot rifles in the Marine Corps, seems to work well up to a 1/4 second for me. Another Jarhead trick is to keep your elbows in to your side, resting on your ribcage, exhale and squeeze off a round down range...er, a frame ;).

Todd

Todd,

Semper Fi !!

You know I never realized it but what you describe is exactly what I do when I shoot with my cameras ( and my firearms).

Works well

Mark