How to Take a Photo

I assume the title will get some folks attention but I want to start at the beginning. These are things that are completely automatic if you've been shooting for awhile, you don't think about them at all, you just do them. However, what if you started wrong and you automatically do something wrong every time. This is, then, a habit check; are we doing the best thing every time or have we developed bad habits.

First: Holding the camera. Your right hand should grip the camera firmly, three fingers on the front and thumb on the back, with the index finger free to press the shutter release. No matter what camera you have, your right hand grip should be able to support the entire camera weight and press the shutter, all with one hand.

Now put your left hand under the camera, or if you are using a long, heavy lens, put it under the lens itself. Hold your camera with both hands. The reason that your right hand grip should support the camera is to insure that when you press the shutter the camera will not move. Your left hand will also be able to support the camera so you have the ability to use your right thumb and fingers if you need to make adjustments. If your camera has a viewfinder, I recommend using it, not the LCD.

Now press the camera against the bony ridge across the top of the eye and press your elbows against the sides of your body.

Spread your feet about shoulder width apart, and you are about a stable as a standing person can be.

Second: Preparing to press the shutter. You need to prepare? Yes! Take a deep breath, let half of the air out and stop. Hold your breath. Your body moves as you breath and this will help reduce body, and therefore, camera movement. Holding a deep breathe makes you very tense, and holding very little air makes your body crave air. Holding it half way is the most relaxing way to stop breathing for long enough to press the shutter button.

Third: Pressing the shutter release. We assume here, your are using auto focus. Focusing the camera requires mechanical movement of parts of the lens which requires time so, press the shutter button half way down and hold it there for a moment. This will give the lens time to obtain sharp focus and be ready to go. Now when you get the perfect smile, the beautiful composition, or the peak of action, squeeze the button gently the rest of the way down and you have taken, what has a good chance of being a sharp image.

Now do this every time you take a shot and before long there will be no thought here and you can worry yourself about everything in all my other posts.