Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

This is about as basic as things can get. But, I know there are new enthusiasts on UHH all the time and though this is entry level it is surprising how often I see people that haven’t learned it. While I would never walk up to a stranger and embarrass them, here on the forum people can learn in anonymity

Support the camera/lens with your left hand under the lens/camera unit at about the balance point. Do not grip the camera by each end! To hold your camera this way introduces tension and involuntary movements. And it is tiring.

Place your elbows against your body. Don’t have them sticking out to the side like a bird about to take flight. Against your body reduces the possibility of them flapping.

Lean into the shot a bit, bracing the camera against your forehead/ eyebrow area.

Spread your legs apart just enough for good balance.

Finally, when you are ready to take the shot, squeeze the shutter release. Do not poke or jab at it.

All of these points attempt to create a tight platform from which you can shoot while minimizing motion blur. If you can also lean against something stationary like a building or a FAT tree, so much the better.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Saying to hold the lens,camera by the ledt hand subsumes one is right handed. For us lefties, camera button layouts are problematical.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Please, that is support not hold.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I also find that in some cases it is beneficial to rotate to the left slightly. Doing so can provide some improvement in stability vs. trying to shoot straight ahead.

Tim Stapp Loc: Mid Mitten

Look at my avatar. I'm trying to teach my grandson proper technique. Still trying to get him in the darkroom.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I like that.
Anything to improve the hold without introducing tension.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Our grand kids had no interest. But we have been blessed with a great-grandson that is coming on 18 months. It might be time to put a camera in his hands.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

I had to get my camera out to check how I hold it. Either that is naturally how I hold mine or I have learned over the years. I vaguely remember the BRAS instructions Dad gave me when he gave me my first camera (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Squeeeze/Shoot), same as when shooting a gun. That has held me in good stead for 60 plus years, plus I'm a pretty good shot with our .22.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

I guess proper form is great when you are young; by the time you are in your 60s or 70s, "whatever works for you" is the proper form. Much better to be comfortable than to introduce movement caused by stress or strain on a bad joint or muscle.

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

Besides being left or right handed, there are other factors such as using either your left or right eye for viewing or if you wear glasses and whether shooting horizontally or vertically. For me, I use my left eye which is stronger to shoot a horizontal scene and tightly brace the back of the pentaprism against my left forehead eyebrow area. For verticals, I use my right eye while my nose clears the pentaprism and I brace the camera above my right forehead.

Lately, with the usage of mirrorless, I've noticed that some photographers are shooting with "live view"
and holding the camera in front of them (like cell phones) which introduces other problems. Cheers. Ed

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

And shot between hart beat just like a sniper that way you get the best shot with out moving the camera.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I should have included breath control. It is the same idea as shooting.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Thank you.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Some camera manuals actually instruct the user to hold the camera in this manner when taking pictures, and even include an illustration to demonstrate this.
It really depends on which camera you have - its shape, weight and size.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

I would like to see those. Do you have a link?