Holding Your Camera
Intro
When you bought your camera the salesperson showed you how to hold it properly, right? Or maybe you studied those few pages in the manual that showed you how. Perhaps you just watched everyone else and mimicked them.
When I first started teaching photo classes 20+ years ago I always showed my students how to hold the camera. It's important to hold the camera steady to ensure good, sharp pictures. You need to be able to access certain camera controls quickly and easily. You need to be comfortable and be able to hold for an extended period of time so you can capture the exact moment you want. Follow these guidelines and you'll see your photos improve.
NOTE: Cameras (and these instructions) are made for right-handed people. If you're a southpaw you'll need to practice a bit in order to work comfortably with your camera.
Holding Your Point & Shoot Camera
It may seem rather obvious how to hold your P&S. Just grab it and put it to your eye or hold it out so you can see the LCD screen and mash the button. Certainly that will work, but here's a few to improve upon that.
- Grip the camera firmly with your right hand. Your thumb should sit on the back of the camera at the top right. It's the most common place for the zoom control. Your forefinger (pointer) should arch slightly and rest on the shutter button. Your other fingers should wrap around the front.
- Your left hand can hold the bottom left corner of the camera. This will keep your fingers out of the way of the flash. An alternative would be to wrap around your right hand and gently support the bottom of the camera.
- Try to tuck your elbows to your sides. This will add a bit of support.
Holding your Digital or Film SLR
Due to it's size and weight, an SLR requires two hands to hold it steady. Just like with a P&S, your right hand grips the right side of the camera. Again, your thumb is at the back of the camera and your forefinger on the shutter button.
The heel and palm of your left hand go under the base of the camera. The lens should be pointing out between your thumb and forefinger. Your thumb and fingers are now in position to work the zoom and focus rings on your lens.
Don't be tempted to grab the lens from the left side with your thumb underneath and your fingers on top. Your fingers will wind up getting in the way of the popup flash.
Shooting Vertically
Hopefully, you're not the victim of that dreaded photographic disease - Horizontalitis! It causes you to shoot all your pictures horizontally. There are so many subjects that deserve to be shot vertically.
With a P&S it's simple enough to turn the camera vertically, keeping your right hand in the same place. Your left hand should still be under the camera to support it.
Holding an SLR vertically will vary from person to person. It depends on which eye you use and your body mechanics. Remember that you want to be comfortable doing this.
Some people will flip to the left - their right hand ending up on top of the camera. Your left hand still belongs under the camera to support it and work the zoom. Others will flip to the right - their right hand ending up under the camera. Now your left hand can grab the lens and your fingers won't interfere with the popup flash.
Use these guidelines and find what works best for you and your shooting style. Practice in front of a mirror if that helps you to get it right. After some practice it will become second nature and you won't even have to think about it.
