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A breathing trick when you need to hold a camera steady.
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Jan 13, 2016 07:48:21   #
markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ
 
Do tripods breathe Jerry?

jerryc41 wrote:
Yes, lots of contradictory advice. I've tried breathing in and holding and breathing out and holding. Breathing out completely works best for me - while leaning again a tree or a wall.

Does this apply to using a tripod? :D


:lol:

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Jan 13, 2016 07:50:47   #
Ed Loc: Massachusetts
 
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

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Jan 13, 2016 08:11:23   #
Marionsho Loc: Kansas
 
crg wrote:
I take bird pics with a 150-300 mm canon lens from a boat where tripod is not possible and even a monopod is difficult. Any suggestions for better shots. Depth of field seems to be one problem.


You can use a stick, broom handle, dowel rod, shovel handle, with a threaded insert, 1/4 20 on one end, and cut it to desired length, maybe a foot or so long, and by holding onto it you can stabilize your camera. Works great.
Marion

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Jan 13, 2016 08:32:19   #
jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana
 
An old bench shooting trick--indeed it does work well. :thumbup:

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Jan 13, 2016 08:40:23   #
Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC
 
Only if your holding it. For Jerry sorry hit wrong button.

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Jan 13, 2016 08:43:20   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
Remus wrote:
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle but it works equally well (for me anyway) when I need to hold a camera steady for a shot. It's all about how to hold your breath. Most people breathe in and then hold their breath while taking the shot. But this means you are putting your rib muscles under strain and could cause a bit of trembling. Try filling your lungs then breathing out about a third of the way, then stop breathing out while you take the shot. I find this useful for those times when a tripod/monopod isn't being used.
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle bu... (show quote)


Also between heart beats.

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Jan 13, 2016 08:48:09   #
greymule Loc: Colorado
 
Remus wrote:
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle but it works equally well (for me anyway) when I need to hold a camera steady for a shot. It's all about how to hold your breath. Most people breathe in and then hold their breath while taking the shot. But this means you are putting your rib muscles under strain and could cause a bit of trembling. Try filling your lungs then breathing out about a third of the way, then stop breathing out while you take the shot. I find this useful for those times when a tripod/monopod isn't being used.
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle bu... (show quote)


:thumbup: :thumbup:

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Jan 13, 2016 08:59:23   #
Blasthoff Loc: Life halved NY and IN
 
Preachdude wrote:
You can also carry a poor-man's tripod - a length of a chain with a 1/4-20 eyebolt at the end. Screw the eyebolt into the tripod socket, and step on the other end of the chain. Gently pulling upward while taking the shot steadies the camera surprisingly well.

That might actually work. I'd need to try it out.

In my young days, I actually was a competitive rifle marksman for a number of years. Later on when I took up photography the shooting "form" was instinctual for hand held shots. I had my camera's neck strap adjusted so that I used it as a "rifle sling" around my left arm and wrist with my arm tucked in, leaning back just enough to form a straight vertical line of support for the left arm with the right leg. The tension of the strap helped make up for the "lightness" of the camera. I was using a Nikon FM at the time, which seemed like a feather relatively speaking. Weight, really is your friend when going about "squeezing" off hand held shots and the lack of it just makes it harder. I also added a shutter release extension button so as to not put pressure on the camera body while squeezing. Trigger, or shutter control, is very important and only comes about with a LOT of experience with method and practice.

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Jan 13, 2016 09:02:03   #
ssymeono Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
 
Remus wrote:
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle but it works equally well (for me anyway) when I need to hold a camera steady for a shot. It's all about how to hold your breath. Most people breathe in and then hold their breath while taking the shot. But this means you are putting your rib muscles under strain and could cause a bit of trembling. Try filling your lungs then breathing out about a third of the way, then stop breathing out while you take the shot. I find this useful for those times when a tripod/monopod isn't being used.
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle bu... (show quote)


Why not try the exercise invented by Italian opera singers who must produce a huge sound in order to sing over and above the orchestra (of course, without a mike). It takes 16 seconds and aims at relaxing tension: breathe in slowly through the nose while counting four seconds; hold in breath for another four seconds; exhale slowly through the mouth counting four seconds, and hold your breath for another four seconds. You may repeat the exercise two or three times. Then always perform or shoot the camera with your two feet planted firmly on the ground about one foot apart. This exercise is also recommended for public speakers.

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Jan 13, 2016 09:04:58   #
Marionsho Loc: Kansas
 
Blasthoff wrote:
That might actually work. I'd need to try it out.

In my young days, I actually was a competitive rifle marksman for a number of years. Later on when I took up photography the shooting "form" was instinctual for hand held shots. I had my camera's neck strap adjusted so that I used it as a "rifle sling" around my left arm and wrist with my arm tucked in, leaning back just enough to form a straight vertical line of support for the left arm with the right leg. The tension of the strap helped make up for the "lightness" of the camera. I was using a Nikon FM at the time, which seemed like a feather relatively speaking. Weight, really is your friend when going about "squeezing" off hand held shots and the lack of it just makes it harder. I also added a shutter release extension button so as to not put pressure on the camera body while squeezing. Trigger, or shutter control, is very important and only comes about with a LOT of experience with method and practice.
That might actually work. I'd need to try it out. ... (show quote)


I've read where you should use your thumb under the camera for support, as to not let the camera push down when you push the shutter. Easier said than done.

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Jan 13, 2016 09:24:06   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
Marionsho wrote:
I've read where you should use your thumb under the camera for support, as to not let the camera push down when you push the shutter. Easier said than done.


IS seems to help a lot too.
:lol:

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Jan 13, 2016 09:30:03   #
Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City
 
Shoot like Bill"Bubba"Clinton, don't inhale!

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Jan 13, 2016 09:31:06   #
paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah
 
Remus wrote:
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle but it works equally well (for me anyway) when I need to hold a camera steady for a shot. It's all about how to hold your breath. Most people breathe in and then hold their breath while taking the shot. But this means you are putting your rib muscles under strain and could cause a bit of trembling. Try filling your lungs then breathing out about a third of the way, then stop breathing out while you take the shot. I find this useful for those times when a tripod/monopod isn't being used.
Here's a tip I was taught when shooting a rifle bu... (show quote)

What the heck, I just use a fast shutter speed especially with long lenses.

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Jan 13, 2016 09:36:57   #
Marionsho Loc: Kansas
 
Architect1776 wrote:
IS seems to help a lot too.
:lol:


Yes, and you can't beat a fast shutter speed. Of course, that's not possible, in a salt mine.

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Jan 13, 2016 09:37:45   #
gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN
 
I do the same thing shooting a rifle and it works pretty well. On a trip and will try breathing out half way with a monopod. Thanks for the suggestion. &#128512;

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