The number one cause of blurry and unsharp photos is due to camera shake at the instant of exposure. It's very critical that during the small slice of time when the shutter is open, the camera and the photographer be as stable as possible. Practicing this general technique will go a long ways toward achieving sharper images...especially at the slower shutter speeds.

Years ago (don't ask how many..!!), as a 'Green' Marine and in USMC rifle training, we were taught the B.R.A.S.S. ("BRASS") method of getting a steady shot, and I have used my own version of this technique whenever I am shooting (photographically, of course!) any subjects. The Acronym stands for:

B....Breathe...take a full breath.

R....Relax...let out about half of your air, until you feel comfortable and have a stable stance.

A....Aim... Look through your viewfinder and compose your shot.

S....Slack...take up the 'play' in the shutter release..the "half-press'.

S....Squeeze.. With a smooth motion, press the shutter. The idea with a rifle is to NOT know the exact time the round goes off to avoid flinching. With a camera, the same smooth and steady release idea applies. Too many shooters 'jab' the shutter, (none of the readers of this Forum, I am sure...!!)...this nearly always guarantees camera motion...and a wasted shot.

This is an easy technique to learn, it helps to practice it a few times until you have the timing and 'feel' down. right. Depending on your previous habits, this could amount to an extra stop or two of speed. Remember the old saying, "Slow and steady, wins the race...!"

The number one cause of blurry and unsharp photos is due to camera shake at the instant of exposure. It's very critical that during the small slice of time when the shutter is open, the camera and the photographer be as stable as possible. Practicing this general technique will go a long ways toward achieving sharper images...especially at the slower shutter speeds.

Years ago (don't ask how many..!!), as a 'Green' Marine and in USMC rifle training, we were taught the B.R.A.S.S. ("BRASS") method of getting a steady shot, and I have used my own version of this technique whenever I am shooting (photographically, of course!) any subjects. The Acronym stands for:

B....Breathe...take a full breath.

R....Relax...let out about half of your air, until you feel comfortable and have a stable stance.

A....Aim... Look through your viewfinder and compose your shot.

S....Slack...take up the 'play' in the shutter release..the "half-press'.

S....Squeeze.. With a smooth motion, press the shutter. The idea with a rifle is to NOT know the exact time the round goes off to avoid flinching. With a camera, the same smooth and steady release idea applies. Too many shooters 'jab' the shutter, (none of the readers of this Forum, I am sure...!!)...this nearly always guarantees camera motion...and a wasted shot.

This is an easy technique to learn, it helps to practice it a few times until you have the timing and 'feel' down right. Depending on your previous habits, this could amount to an extra stop or two of speed. Remember the old saying, "Slow and steady, wins the race...!"

B....Breathe...take a full breath.

R....Relax...let out about half of your air, until you feel comfortable and have a stable stance.

A....Aim... Look through your viewfinder and compose your shot.

S....Slack...take up the 'play' in the shutter release..the "half-press'.

S....Squeeze.. With a smooth motion, press the shutter. The idea with a rifle is to NOT know the exact time the round goes off to avoid flinching. With a camera, the same smooth and steady release idea applies. Too many shooters 'jab' the shutter, (none of the readers of this Forum, I am sure...!!)...this nearly always guarantees camera motion...and a wasted shot.

The number one cause of blurry and unsharp photos is due to camera shake at the instant of exposure. It's very critical that during the small slice of time when the shutter is open, the camera and the photographer be as stable as possible. Practicing this general technique will go a long ways toward achieving sharper images...especially at the slower shutter speeds.

Years ago (don't ask how many..!!), as a 'Green' Marine and in USMC rifle training, we were taught the B.R.A.S.S. ("BRASS") method of getting a steady shot, and I have used my own version of this technique whenever I am shooting (photographically, of course!) any subjects. The Acronym stands for:

B....Breathe...take a full breath.

R....Relax...let out about half of your air, until you feel comfortable and have a stable stance.

A....Aim... Look through your viewfinder and compose your shot.

S....Slack...take up the 'play' in the shutter release..the "half-press'.

S....Squeeze.. With a smooth motion, press the shutter. The idea with a rifle is to NOT know the exact time the round goes off to avoid flinching. With a camera, the same smooth and steady release idea applies. Too many shooters 'jab' the shutter, (none of the readers of this Forum, I am sure...!!)...this nearly always guarantees camera motion...and a wasted shot.

This is an easy technique to learn, it helps to practice it a few times until you have the timing and 'feel' down right. Depending on your previous habits, this could amount to an extra stop or two of speed. Remember the old saying, "Slow and steady, wins the race...!"

One very important point I feel you left out: Learn to hold the camera properly - weight of camera and lens should be supported by the left hand, while the right hand should remain fairly loose and relaxed. With a little practice, this technique can cut down on camera shake significantly!

Whenever I go to tourist sites, I can't help but notice how the majority of photographers are gripping the camera really tight with their right hand when they are taking a picture, using it instead of the left hand to support much of the weight. Unfortunately, most photography tutorials seem to rarely touch upon the subject of how to actually hold a camera to reduce camera shake. Although monopods and tripods obviously are very effective, they are not always practical to carry along or set up.

Your post on shooting technique is fine, for most things I have no problem with it and it is probably helpful.

Your quote about "Slow and steady wins the race" on the other hand is 100 percent false. I just got back from shooting the state track meet. slow and steady not only didn't win, it didn't even make the finals.

And when it came to photos at the finish line none of the big guns were using anything resembling a slow and steady approach. If you had tried slow and steady the action would have been gone and you would have still been sitting there getting ready to exhale.

The number one cause of blurry and unsharp photos is due to camera shake at the instant of exposure. It's very critical that during the small slice of time when the shutter is open, the camera and the photographer be as stable as possible. Practicing this general technique will go a long ways toward achieving sharper images...especially at the slower shutter speeds.

Years ago (don't ask how many..!!), as a 'Green' Marine and in USMC rifle training, we were taught the B.R.A.S.S. ("BRASS") method of getting a steady shot, and I have used my own version of this technique whenever I am shooting (photographically, of course!) any subjects. The Acronym stands for:

B....Breathe...take a full breath.

R....Relax...let out about half of your air, until you feel comfortable and have a stable stance.

A....Aim... Look through your viewfinder and compose your shot.

S....Slack...take up the 'play' in the shutter release..the "half-press'.

S....Squeeze.. With a smooth motion, press the shutter. The idea with a rifle is to NOT know the exact time the round goes off to avoid flinching. With a camera, the same smooth and steady release idea applies. Too many shooters 'jab' the shutter, (none of the readers of this Forum, I am sure...!!)...this nearly always guarantees camera motion...and a wasted shot.

This is an easy technique to learn, it helps to practice it a few times until you have the timing and 'feel' down right. Depending on your previous habits, this could amount to an extra stop or two of speed. Remember the old saying, "Slow and steady, wins the race...!"