I´ve never been "taught" any particular technique. just trial-and-error (a lot of the later, for sure). I´ve used RF Leicas, 35 mm SLR´s, MF SLR´s and TLR´s with waist level finders. and lately digicams with LCD screens, and they´re all different.
One common thing that I´ve found quite important is to always apply a force to the camera that is opposed to the one pressing the shutter button. So I´m careful always to place a finger on the same hand directly opposite the button, and in line with it. Then, when pressing down, the hand acts like a pair of pliers or whatever, giving no net force to the camera.
Look at the small vignette on my web page ( http://ofverbeck.se/foto/engindex.html ) where I hold my Digital Ixus in a rather strange way, pushing the shutter with my thumb (not the best way, but then I was shooting myself... ;-) ). I put the long finger of the same hand directly opposite, as well as steadying the tiny thing with my other hand, and it turned out recently sharp.
Per Öfverbeck http://foto.ofverbeck.se
2004-02-26 kl. 11.57 skrev kpp@xxxxxxxxxx:
how about this?
what is the way you hold your camera? what is your body posture etc?
what are the basic things for a newcomer or even a seasoned pro to watch out for?
(for the sake of the specific subject let's assume that mono and bi-pods are left behind)
soon enough i adopted a combination of rifle and pistol shooting techiques... good balance, supported body, proper breathing, camera adapted two-handed grip, symmetric hand pressure, bone support for the arms, flesh patching for interconected body members, etc...
that brings up a question i always had...do photographic schools teach any camera holding techniques? (even as informal as a series of tips during field work)...it seems important to me, 'cos i feel it offers more than stability and faster shutter time...a good shooting technique offers flexibility, faster response, and creates less fatigue so you hold longer and stadier.
in that regard, i once was very disapointed to see a greek photo school graduate, not use any camera support technique while shooting(photographing) his fellow band members...
so if you wish to contribute to such a discussion, come forward state your method...
thanks, kostas
