Your listening to Indigo Vertigo, an original composition by Ed Kelley: guitar, penny whistle & synthesizer. His gallery, Ridgerunners, is on Main Street Waynesville, NC 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Darren Rowse 

 

One of the common problems that many new digital (and film) photographers have is ‘camera shake’ where images seem blurry – usually because the camera was not held still enough while the shutter was depressed. This is especially common in shots taken in low light situations where the shutter is open for longer periods of time. Even the smallest movement of the camera can cause it and the only real way to eliminate it is with a tripod. Adding to camera shake is a technique that is increasingly common with digital camera users of holding the camera at arms length away from them as they take shots – often with one hand. While this might be a good way to frame your shot the further away from your body (a fairly stable thing) you hold the camera the more chance you have of swaying or shaking as you take your shot. Tripods are the best way to stop camera shake because they have three sturdy legs that keep things very still – but if you don’t have one then another simple way to enhance the stability of the camera is to hold onto it with two hands. While it can be tempting to shoot one handed a two hands will increase your stillness (like three legs on a tripod being better than one). Exactly how you should grip your camera will depend upon what type of digital camera you are using and varies from person to person depending upon preference. There is no real right or wrong way to do it but here’s the technique that I generally use:

Gripping a camera in this way will allow you flexibility of being able to line up shots quickly but will also help you to hold still for the crucial moment of your shutter being open. Another quick bonus tip – before you take your shot take a gentle but deep breath, hold it, then take the shot and exhale. The other method people use is the exact opposite – exhale and before inhaling again take the shot. It’s amazing how much a body rises and falls simply by breathing – being conscious of it can give you an edge. Of course each person will have their own little techniques that they are more comfortable with and ultimately you need to find what works best for you – but in the early days of familiarizing yourself with your new digital camera it’s worth considering your technique. One last note – this post is about ‘holding a camera’ in a way that will help eliminate camera shake. It’s not rocket science – but it’s amazing how many people get it wrong and wonder why their images are blurry. There are of course many other techniques for decreasing camera shake that should be used in conjunction with the way you hold it. Shutter speed, lenses with image stabilization and of course tripods can all help – we’ll cover these and more in future posts. Follow along with future tips by Subscribing to our email or RSS feeds.

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 Bob: 

 Keith at WNC mailed this to me and thought you might find interesting. I had inquired about it last summer, but too late to get in on a Fall opportunity. We signed up for the one in May; same as this except for the date. WNC Nature Center

D. Miller, FL

 

Bob:

B. Slone,  NC

 

 

Congratulations to Charles Johnson on another published image…

 

 

Bob:

Thanks again for the workshop last fall. Perhaps of interest to you, the attached picture, taken last fall from the BRP during the workshop, has been used as the cover for the "Maggie Valley 2010 Vacation Guide".

 

Idon't believe it is much more than "acceptable"; however, they required a BRP view in portrait orientation with space for text. In addition, the tourist brochure is titled "Valley Views" and so the picture fit their criteria. Since the brochure will be available to tourists visiting Maggie throughout the season, you may see it somewhere this spring or summer.

C. Johnson, NC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Hi Bob (and Carol, too! *waves*)

 

 

 

 

Is your photography becoming boring? Do you find yourself saying, “I cant find anything to take pictures of!” I think most of us have been in that funk from time to time. It happens!. The next time you need a kick start to bring back the excitement - try the dance.

 

Now,I’m assuming that we are going through the motions necessary to bring a greater level of work into our experience, You know, like looking at a lot of photos by others. Not to emulate what they are doing, but just to begin to see the forms, shapes, and lines in their work. I know you are otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this publication. We have to keep doing that - studying others. And we can include the great masters. Find yourself to the library. The great masters found a way to paint light - or the effect light has on a subject. The subtle shading and shadows. Try to look at it all. Without consciously evaluating the work.

 

Pickup any magazine. Even the ads, especially the ads, will communicate something that should stop the viewer in his/her tracks. That's why that photo was chosen over another. Or that graphic design was selected - to convey a message. This information should be going into our computer bank - the one on our shoulders, through our optics - those eyes of ours. Just let this happen. At some time, when we are ready that information will come out - and it may surprise us. I no longer wonder where things come from. Perhaps a class I took many years ago, or a book I read or a magazine from our bathroom library. My job is to optically scan the information in.

 

Then, the special moments, photographically, with eye to viewfinder. Arms, almost roboticlly will begin to lift our camera to our eye, legs move toward something, we bend or find ourselves kneeling in the right position to see what is there. Yes, what is there. That is all we have to do - get there.    BG

 

For the rest of the story… see Lens Lugger Plus Gallery page click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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