Hand Tremors: I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

npsranger Loc: Southern Arizona

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

npsranger wrote:

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

What is causing the tremors? In general I would say always use Vibration / Motion / Shake Controls, and use high Shutter Speeds and probably high ISO, and/or shoot outdoors in daylight all you can. Use a tripod or other camera support. You might also try using your camera while seated.

I am a mere 67 but have bad gouty arthritis in my hands and that makes it hard to hold and use a camera. I still do not shake much. Good luck.

jaredjacobson

npsranger wrote:

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

There are lots of options. Here are a few:
* Shoot from a tripod
* Use good holding technique: https://m.dpreview.com/videos/5834100290/dpreview-tv-best-shooting-positions
* Shoot with a monopod
* Use cameras and/or lenses with image stabilization

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

npsranger wrote:

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

Probably not what you want to hear, but either a tripod or monopod(if your still steady on your feet).
Me @ 82, well I need a tripod for anything but flash and that is fading because I tend to rock back and forth so I'M in and out of focus.
The tripod is my best friend now days, it's not as bad as it sounds, this give you more time to think about your shot.
I sometimes use my tripod as a bipod when I can lean against something.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Manglesphoto wrote:

Probably not what you want to hear, but either a tripod or monopod(if your still steady on your feet).
Me @ 82, well I need a tripod for anything but flash and that is fading because I tend to rock back and forth so I'M in and out of focus.
The tripod is my best friend now days, it's not as bad as it sounds, this give you more time to think about your shot.
I sometimes use my tripod as a bipod when I can lean against something.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

jaredjacobson wrote:

There are lots of options. Here are a few:
* Shoot from a tripod
* Use good holding technique: https://m.dpreview.com/videos/5834100290/dpreview-tv-best-shooting-positions
* Shoot with a monopod
* Use cameras and/or lenses with image stabilization

MrPhotog

Without a tripod or similar support, High shutter speeds are your friend.

Unfortunately they go hand in hand with either low depth of field or increased sensitivity (ISO) and noise levels on digital or grain on film.

Getting older is an annoyance, unless one considers the alternative.

JHS Loc: Carmichael, CA

I had the same problem. I had deep brain stimulation surgery. it was an overnight stay at the hospital. The surgeons insert a probe into your brain and a control unit into your chest. You turn it on each morning and off in the evening. The batteries last 5 years before another surgery is required to change the batteries. Once you turn it on, the hand tremors cease completely. It is a miracle cure but does take some time to go through the process. It is far better than drugs. I had it about seven years ago and it was a miracle cure. Ask your physician to refer you to a brain surgeon.
John

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Manglesphoto wrote:

Probably not what you want to hear, but either a tripod or monopod(if your still steady on your feet).
Me @ 82, well I need a tripod for anything but flash and that is fading because I tend to rock back and forth so I'M in and out of focus.
The tripod is my best friend now days, it's not as bad as it sounds, this give you more time to think about your shot.
I sometimes use my tripod as a bipod when I can lean against something.

I added a shoulder brace. over the ages there have many types/styles many pop up on eBay as folks clean out "stuff." By adding a modification I can add my light weight monopod to the shoulder brace when needed.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Try using a line-steady (Strong cord with a stick tied to the end on which you can place a foot - other end with a screw to attach to your camera's tripod bush. Adjust cord length to eye level or monitor level, and pull upwards firmly. Keep IBIS or OIS switched on. Good luck and hope this helps.
Del.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

npsranger wrote:

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

Mount the camera on a tripod and use a remote trigger to take the photo. If not a tripod, use a monopod.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

npsranger wrote:

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

Tripod with cable release and high shutter speed will be the most important tools for you.

Discuss medication options with your physician. Many of the options are beta-blockers, which can be very effective but can cause drowsiness or low heart rate. I sometimes have patients try a very low dose of diazepam (Valium) which can be very helpful and is short-acting (4-6 hours), so it can be used just when necessary - if you are going out to eat, to do photography, etc. If you are just going to be home reading or watching TV you don't need to take it.

If your tremor is very bad and has not responded to medications, ask your doctor about a new treatment, MRI-guided cerebral ultrasound. It can be effective without major risks. See http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21087-mr-guided-focused-ultrasound-for-treatment-of-tremor

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

npsranger wrote:

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

You might want to look into this:

https://www.cottoncarrier.com/collections/camera-harnesses/products/steady-shot-with-harness

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

JHS wrote:

I had the same problem. I had deep brain stimulat... (show quote)

John. This is good to hear. Just wondering what causes your hands to shake?

Chuck

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

npsranger wrote:

I am 76 years old with hand tremors affecting my photography, what techniques can I try?

Mono or tri pod or faster shutter speeds. A tripod has some weight but set the camera with a 2 sec timer and beat the shakes for your photo's.