|
Forums >
Photography Talk >
My Huge Issue: Camera Shake
Hi everyone, So awhile ago I posted on here about my pictures not always being in focus. I explained that I shoot over 125 and often use F8. Then somebody told me to use the center focus point and recompose. Well, I did that for awhile but I still noticed that some of the images were still out of focus. Today I moved the focus point around during a shoot and when I got back I still had images that were out of focus. I finally figured out that I'm the issue here. I shake a lot. I already knew that I shake sometimes, even when I eat, but I guess I never figured that would translate into me taking pictures. My question is, what tricks do you use to stay steady? This is something that I seriously need to get under control because it's affecting my confidence and my work. I somehow never had this issue when i shot using film back in the day but now a days, I'm a mess. HELP! Apr 16 14 03:29 pm Link Tripod Apr 16 14 03:31 pm Link A monopod may also be helpful if you need to be a little more mobile. What are you shooting with, though? Some bodies are less forgiving than others when it comes to camera shake. Apr 16 14 03:34 pm Link IS Monopod/Tripod. Set shutter speed twice the focal length. Up your ISO. Decaf. Smoke 2 joints. Apr 16 14 03:38 pm Link I'm shooting with a Canon 70D. I'm not sure I can get away with a tripod in the street here in LA. Maybe with a monopod though, maaaaaybe. I have never used a monopod but maybe it's something I will look into. It's a lot of stress on me to keep having this issue. I'm getting paid now and I don't want to let anyone down. Apr 16 14 03:39 pm Link Laurence Moan wrote: LOL I don't drink coffeeand I have never smoked at joint but now might be a good time to start. I need to chill out! Apr 16 14 03:41 pm Link Wrap your camera strap over your head and over your right arm. Use the tension from the camera strap to support the camera. Rotate from your hips, rather than your shoulders. In doing so you can get better pans handheld. Tuck your elbow close to your chest, rather than shooting with it jutting out to the side. Closer to your chest usually means more control and strength Learn DOF of your camera lens and http://www.dofmaster.com/ Apr 16 14 03:43 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: Not sure how you hold your camera, but you should always keep your arms close to your body, and use your own body to support your arms. If you hold the camera with your arms away from your body you are more likely to be unsteady. Give it a shot and you'll see. (I'm fairly certain that is what's causing your unsharp images.) Apr 16 14 03:45 pm Link What lens are you using? Unless you're shooting with a telephoto I'm surprised you'd be getting shake at 125. If the case is that you're using, say, a 200mm lens maybe try to do some shooting with a 24mm or 80mm and see if that helps a little. That and you could try and make sure your image stabilization is on if you have it, or if you have the money trade up for a lens/camera with it. Also you could try a monopod. I've never used one but I can assume they're not as cumbersome and limiting as a tripod and naturally will help a lot with stabilization. If you don't wanna use a support, try anchoring your body to something; leaning against a wall, keeping your elbows together, resting on your knee, things like that. If all else fails I would say, maybe adjust your ISO or F-stop if you're shooting outside (in the studio you won't be able to get your SS above 200 anyways but I guess it still applies). I nearly always keep my Fstop around 1.8 outside to get a nice, flattering DOF. Apr 16 14 03:45 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote:
Apr 16 14 03:48 pm Link If you are normally shaking a lot, you might want to visit a neurologist to see if it's anything or just what it is. Also there are medication things you can do, such as beta blockers depending upon what's going on. Surgeons will sometimes take beta blockers for instance, to calm the normal movement of the hands. Apr 16 14 03:59 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: Faster shutter speeds Apr 16 14 04:02 pm Link Use a faster shutter speed and upping your ISO should help when you cant use a tripod. Also try changing your stance, try a shooters stance with your supporting hands elbow tucked into your ribs. Slow your breathing, dont hold your breath but just slow it. Apr 16 14 04:08 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: Monopods rock. I would think most people wouldn't even notice if you were using one. Apr 16 14 04:17 pm Link JohnEnger wrote: This is a very good suggestion if you don't want to use a monopod and is fundamental for any shooting. I assume you have Image Stabilization lenses, which should help a lot too. Good luck and I'm sorry about your physical problem. Apr 16 14 04:25 pm Link If you know how to shoot a gun you would do the same thing. Use the strap wrapped around your arm, steady yourself with your stance, use a wall/car/table/barricade to rest your arms on. Shoot between breaths. Remember your trajectory and factor in the wind... no, wait... forget those two. If all else fails try the monopod / tripod answer. Apr 16 14 04:31 pm Link Today I was shooting using an iso of 400, shutter was way higher than 250. Used a nifty fifty. stayed between f4 and f8. It's for sure me. I could feel myself shaking. It's almost like I don't have the strength to hold it up. There might be something wrong with me medically, maybe from a herniated disk. My back gives out pretty easily. That or my camera holding technique is sloppy. I'm going to try a ton of the tips you are all giving me to see if any of it helps me. Thanks! Apr 16 14 04:32 pm Link Lots of good advice here, especially John Enger's post. To add anything, I'd need a bit more info. 1. Does that 50 mm lens have image stabilization? 2. Has your shake been diagnosed? Apr 16 14 04:35 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: Damn, yeah it's all you sorry to say. Do you get sharp images when the cam is on a tripod with a still subject? I'd try it with that 50mm and see. Apr 16 14 04:36 pm Link Laurence Moan wrote: All of the above. EXCEPT.... Apr 16 14 04:37 pm Link Can you post an example of your out of focus shots that you THINK is being caused by your shaking? It might not be that at all. However, if you're shooting at f/8 and 1/125, then you COULD be shooting at f/4 and 1/500. Apr 16 14 04:38 pm Link If you have high blood pressure, look into getting it under control. Makes a difference. Apr 16 14 04:41 pm Link I sometimes get one sharp shot out of a barrage of 6 even on a tripod on a fixed subject. Quite maddening, even though I shoot at 1/200 sec. (flash sync) with a 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom. Sometimes I think it might just be me shaking through the shutter button while it's all locked down. Dunno. I need to try using a remote cable again or IR tripper and maybe stop it - if that's what my problem is. Mirror slap. Earthquakes. VR II settling on the 70-200 VRII. AF lens spins off a little. Tripod or me vibes. Who knows? Oh. Don't forget the tripod socket chain going down to your foot for a portable monopod idea too if you don't want to lug bigger stuff. Apr 16 14 04:43 pm Link The F-Stop wrote: There's not a single nude in the OP's portfolio. And the only topless models are men. Apr 16 14 04:48 pm Link I used a tripod the other day to take pictures of myself and they came out sharp. I know it's something I'm doing. Today, half the pictures were in focus and the rest weren't. I don't think it's ever been as bad as it was today. The lens doesn't have image stabilization but my other one does and I have the same issue with that. I haven't had my hand checked. The handshake thing started after the accident that caused my herniated disc though. It doesn't always happen, mainly when I hold something for too long. Apr 16 14 04:49 pm Link Another trick is to get a leather strap and fasten a loop around your instep and have a tripod screw at the other end, screwed into the camera tripod socket. Instead of bearing down, like you do with a monopod, you lift so that the strap from your foot to camera is tight and under tension. You can use this in cases where a monopod might not be allowed. You can even wear it under your pants, coming out at the waist and running upward to the camera. With practice you can rotate camera from horizontal to vertical format. I have also seen devices that fasten around your waist like a thick belt. There will be a short monopod, attached in front that goes from your waist to the camera. Jerry Apr 16 14 04:49 pm Link DevilMayCare Photo wrote: I know I don't have that thank God. Apr 16 14 04:52 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: Good idea, but since you're seeing camera shake at 1/250th of a second with a 50mm lens, you might experiment with these good ideas but why not also make an appointment to see a doctor. Apr 16 14 04:53 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: If you hold your arm out and slowly bring your finger to touch your nose, does the shaking get worse as you get very close to touching? Apr 16 14 04:53 pm Link wynnesome wrote: The woman today, she had see through clothes, could see her panties and bra. Children weren't that far away, we were at a park. Maybe I was freaking out mentally lol. Apr 16 14 04:55 pm Link Toto Photo wrote: Yeah viewfinder. I don't do live view anymore. That was a stupid stage in my life. Apr 16 14 05:00 pm Link J O H N A L L A N wrote: I just did that at the restaurant I'm in, I looked crazy but my hand didn't shake at all. Apr 16 14 05:02 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: There's a thing called "essential tremor" or "familial tremor" that behaves in this way typically. You may want to search Google and see if there's any aspect of it that matches your symptoms. Apr 16 14 05:14 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: Okay. This explains it. Quite normal actually. Apr 16 14 05:30 pm Link I would really recommend talking to your doctor. Mine turned out to be young onset Parkinson's. Which I'm on meds for and really has helped my shaking. But there are other medical problems that can cause a shake. Good luck. Apr 16 14 05:50 pm Link End thread. FGO FANTASY PHOTO wrote: Apr 16 14 05:51 pm Link MCPHOTO wrote: The last time I went a few months ago they told me I had stress issues. They told me to relax. They said I could take meds but I told them I would figure it out. I still haven't figured it out lol. Apr 16 14 06:44 pm Link Yajhil Alvarez wrote: The best thing for just stress is exercise, as it flushes/assimilates/processes/whatever the excess adrenalin that stressing produces. Apr 16 14 06:46 pm Link J O H N A L L A N wrote: I'm going to do everything recommend here for my next shoot. If that doesn't work I will get the monopod cause I have a tripod already but I feel like that might limit me and draw too much attention here in LA. I will also ask a doctor about my hand. It doesn't happen all the time. I think all of this is a combo of stress, my bad back, and the fact that I'm naturally a weak person and I'm most likely not holding the camera as steadily as possible. I'm going to nail this issue. Thanks for the help. Apr 16 14 06:50 pm Link J O H N A L L A N wrote: Yeah I need to go to the gym. Been paying for like a year but have only gone like five times. How sad is that? I'm a bit of a moo cow. Apr 16 14 06:52 pm Link |
