Help, my pics tilt
Jul 6, 2014 19:34:25 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
I've noticed that most all of my pics have a 10° tilt to them because I'm holding the camera lower on the right than the left. Is this a common thing, a characteristic of not holding the camera level in the first place, poor technique? What's a good way to overcome it? I'm thinking check for plumb or level against a vertical item in the frame. Maybe move the frame edge close to a vertical or level item to double check. It seems that I just have a natural tendency to frame things out of kilter. When I bring the camera up it seems like everything looks right in the viewfinder but the end result says otherwise. Don't want to have to always use live view with the level option in view. I have a D7000 and 18-200 DX. Your advise would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jul 6, 2014 19:37:46 #
Jul 6, 2014 19:39:02 #
It is a very common thing.
Don't know if your camera has it, but check in the settings and see if you can select an option to display a grid right on your viewfinder.
That way, when taking the photo, you can make sure your image is level by lining up a horizon aspect with the appropriate grid line.
Don't know if your camera has it, but check in the settings and see if you can select an option to display a grid right on your viewfinder.
That way, when taking the photo, you can make sure your image is level by lining up a horizon aspect with the appropriate grid line.
Jul 6, 2014 19:43:30 #
RicknJude wrote:
Try taking one shoe off. :lol:
I have got to try that. :thumbup:
Jul 6, 2014 19:44:11 #
Look around the internet, you should be able to find a level that would fit in the hotshoe. Maybe that would be an option for you.
Or, a tripod with a level? Idk, the first suggestion wouldn't work real well if your eye is glued to the viewfinder anyway. Hmmm, maybe you will get some good suggestions, lol.
Or, a tripod with a level? Idk, the first suggestion wouldn't work real well if your eye is glued to the viewfinder anyway. Hmmm, maybe you will get some good suggestions, lol.
Jul 6, 2014 19:44:55 #
http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/dutch-tilt.html
http://ruleofthirdsphotography.com/dutch-angle-photography/
http://ruleofthirdsphotography.com/dutch-angle-photography/
Jul 6, 2014 19:45:41 #
gvarner wrote:
I've noticed that most all of my pics have a 10° tilt to them because I'm holding the camera lower on the right than the left.
Go out and get an inexpensive bubble level that attaches to the camera's hot shoe, helps keeps things level. Most of the shots I've posted here have a tilt to the left as well. The bubble level really helps.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triple-3-Axis-Spirit-Level-Bubble-Level-For-Camera-Canon-Nikon-Hot-Shoe-/321048543643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abffc019b
By the way, the bubble level, even with my complete Panorama rail gear, gets most of the comments.
Jul 6, 2014 19:55:28 #
gvarner wrote:
I've noticed that most all of my pics have a 10° t... (show quote)
Swamp Gator hit the nail on the head about the display grid. Also the photography program you have on your computer should have a straightening tool.
Jul 6, 2014 19:59:46 #
Tilt? Use the virtual horizon feature from the menu as an aide to get on the level. Happy shootin.
Jul 6, 2014 20:01:58 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
Always tilts to the right. Interesting. I once heard of a fellow who had the same problem. Turns out that he was pressing the shutter button very hard and in a manner that caused his camera to tilt in much the same way because his arm would also drop when he depressed the shutter button. Have someone watch you as you press the shutter button to see if you might be doing something similar. Good luck.
gvarner wrote:
I've noticed that most all of my pics have a 10° t... (show quote)
Jul 6, 2014 20:05:47 #
gvarner wrote:
I've noticed that most all of my pics have a 10° tilt to them because I'm holding the camera lower on the right than the left. .... Don't want to have to always use live view with the level option in view. I have a D7000 and 18-200 DX. Your advise would be appreciated. Thanks.
Err, not wishing to be disrespectful, but this sounds more like pilot / user error than anything else. Switching on a grid will help in live view / viewfinder, but you say you do not wish to do that as a normal course of action. With the viewfinder or without a tripod it is sort of up to you.
I love the "taking off a shoe" suggestion, but that has terrain-based limitations amongst other things. :D
More seriously, I have also suffered from this symptom, and my remedy was to train myself to engage my brain prior to pushing the shutter button. Specifically asking myself whether the vertical / horizontal lines in the image were aligned in a manner that I wanted in the image. One can always correct after the fact, but not necessarily without compromising another part of the desired image.
The comments about movement in the process of taking the photo are also very constructive.
I hope that is helpful in the sense in which it is intended to be.
Good luck.
Jul 6, 2014 20:15:54 #
Peterff wrote:
Err, not wishing to be disrespectful, but this sounds more like pilot / user error than anything else. Switching on a grid will help in live view, but you say you do not wish to do that as a normal course of action. With the viewfinder it is sort of up to you.
The D7000 (and I think all Nikons) have a grid that can be displayed in the optical view finder.
Jul 6, 2014 20:19:33 #
This is very interesting because I've noticed the same problem since I started using a D7000. Never seemed to have the problem before. Even when using a grid I still have to be very careful to get a level picture.
Jul 6, 2014 20:29:55 #
Mac wrote:
The D7000 (and I think all Nikons) have a grid that can be displayed in the optical view finder.
Thank you. As a non Nikon user, that is interesting to know.
Cheers
Jul 6, 2014 20:40:44 #
gvarner wrote:
I've noticed that most all of my pics have a .....not holding the camera level in the first place, poor technique? .....double check. It seems that I just have a natural tendency to frame things out of kilter. When I bring the camera up it seems like everything looks right in the viewfinder but the end result says otherwise. ....
( have a similar 'user' problem.
years of using cameras with viewfinders in the middle where they belong make me place my eye to the side of the viewfinder and all my shots have extra material on one side.
We both know what the fix is its just a matter of looking twice and pressing once,
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