Familial shake: My hand shake is getting worse and worse. Since I mostly take photos of kids at school for their yearbook, using a tripod is difficult. The kids are constantly on the...

ediesaul

My hand shake is getting worse and worse. Since I mostly take photos of kids at school for their yearbook, using a tripod is difficult. The kids are constantly on the move; they're not landscape subjects!!! I have started using my tripod as a monopod and do the best I can by taking many, many photos and hoping that some are in focus.

Are my photo days over? Any suggestions?

Thanks very much!!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ediesaul wrote:

My hand shake is getting worse and worse. Since I mostly take photos of kids at school for their yearbook, using a tripod is difficult. The kids are constantly on the move; they're not landscape subjects!!! I have started using my tripod as a monopod and do the best I can by taking many, many photos and hoping that some are in focus.

Are my photo days over? Any suggestions?

Thanks very much!!!

Beer! My doctor told me that alcoholic beverages put a temporary end to the tremor. Guinness works for me. He called it a familial tremor. Mine isn't bad enough to interfere with photography, but I'm afraid I won't be getting that pin-striping job with Rolls Royce.

There are several medications I could take, but so far (twenty years), I can cope. I'm concerned about side effects of the medications.

I would think a tripod would be essential for yearbook photos. If the kids can't stay still long enough for you to focus, they should cut their drugs and/or medications a couple of days before the shoot. I would use a single, center focus point with a smallish aperture. Practice getting sharp focus ahead of time.

ediesaul

jerryc41 wrote:

Beer! My doctor told me that alcoholic beverages ... (show quote)

Guinness is a GREAT suggestion!!! Thanks!

The photos I take are not the still portrait individual shots but rather the kids in class, gym, at recess, etc.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

A solid Monopod with feet might be your answer. This one can handle 17lbs but Sirui makes even larger for heavier loads/

https://www.amazon.com/Sirui-SUP204SR-Photo-Video-Monopod/dp/B00I5NKCNE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492170096&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+with+feet&refinements=p_89%3ASirui

Jim Bob

jerryc41 wrote:

Beer! My doctor told me that alcoholic beverages ... (show quote)

Jerry, where did you find that doctor?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

ediesaul wrote:

My hand shake is getting worse and worse. Since I mostly take photos of kids at school for their yearbook, using a tripod is difficult. The kids are constantly on the move; they're not landscape subjects!!! I have started using my tripod as a monopod and do the best I can by taking many, many photos and hoping that some are in focus.

Are my photo days over? Any suggestions?

Thanks very much!!!

Warsteiner, and some sort of IS/VR/OS etc., in that order!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ediesaul wrote:

Guinness is a GREAT suggestion!!! Thanks!

The photos I take are not the still portrait individual shots but rather the kids in class, gym, at recess, etc.

Ah, I see. Flash?

ediesaul

RWR wrote:

Warsteiner, and some sort of IS/VR/OS etc., in that order!

Please translate.

ediesaul

jerryc41 wrote:

Ah, I see. Flash?

Flash? I'll try it!! Thanks.

ediesaul

WayneT wrote:

A solid Monopod with feet might be your answer. This one can handle 17lbs but Sirui makes even larger for heavier loads/

https://www.amazon.com/Sirui-SUP204SR-Photo-Video-Monopod/dp/B00I5NKCNE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492170096&sr=8-1&keywords=monopod+with+feet&refinements=p_89%3ASirui

I use only one leg of the tripod. Do you think that a monopod would be more flexible? The kids are up and down, left and right. I was thinking about one of those chest tripods. What do you think?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ediesaul wrote:

Flash? I'll try it!! Thanks.

Years ago, I took some candids for a yearbook, and I used a big "potato masher" - a Sunpak, I think. I remember sitting in the back of the auditorium and getting enough light to expose what was going on up on the stage.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

This type of Monopod has ball head on the bottom that you can leave loose to get free rotation or you can fix it and actually stand on one of the feet to stabilize it even more. With a good monopod tilt head you will have all the movement you will need (360 degree around and full up and down motion) in a stationary position that will eliminate the shake problem. A chest tripod might work for you but it still attached to your body and might not eliminate the shake completely. I use a Sirui 426S and it's solid and can handle up to 22 lbs. I have a slight shake but it's not an issue with the monopod.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

ediesaul wrote:

Please translate.

Excellent German beer, Image Stabilization, Vibration Reduction, Optical Stabilization. Stabilization is usually in the lens, but some brands offer it in the camera to work with any lens.

ediesaul

jerryc41 wrote:

Years ago, I took some candids for a yearbook, and I used a big "potato masher" - a Sunpak, I think. I remember sitting in the back of the auditorium and getting enough light to expose what was going on up on the stage.

I have a tripod. Is a Sunpak different? Thanks for your reply.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ediesaul wrote:

I have a tripod. Is a Sunpak different? Thanks for your reply.

Sunpak 555. I still have this. Lots of light.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunpak-555-Handle-requires-module/dp/B0000BZYEV