Whatever happened to the most basic lesson? One of the most important things for taking pictures is: How to hold a camera! It has always been taught that with a camera having an...

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

One of the most important things for taking pictures is: How to hold a camera!

It has always been taught that with a camera having an eye-level viewfinder, you brace your hands and camera against your head/face so it is steady and does not jerk when pressing the shutter.

Now there are zillions of point & shoots and bridge cameras that don't have eye-level viewfinders, optical or digital. Only the LCD panel. Which you hold at least several inches away from your face.

Whatever happened to good sense in the first step in taking a picture? As much as even the lowest-priced cameras cost, aren't they bad tools without a viewfinder (or a tripod)?

Quixdraw Loc: x

I suppose, in part, it is what you are accustomed to. Having used viewfinders all my life, I tend to agree with you. In practice, when i had to use a tough camera without a viewfinder on a job, it was clearly inferior to a viewfinder whenever conditions were unfavorable. That said, we may well be in a minority, since many others prefer Live View or Monitor.

Bill_de Loc: US

Nothing is forever. Fortunately humans have the ability to adapt. Cell phones are a good example.

The next dozen pages should be interesting.

---

Haydon

I think it really depends on what camera you are using and how you are using it. I've seen several Sony mirrorless cameras shot with one hand and composing with the LCD in portrait mode while shooting environmental portraiture. It's only when your technique is failing to provide sharp motion free images with the appropriate settings should one consider a regimented way. Whatever works best for you.

duckfan48

I will have to say I will be in that minority as well. How you describe is how my dad showed me, and how I taught my sons. I use both a Nikon and Cannon point n shoots for appraisal work and I often find myself uncomfortable just looking at a screen. Yes I do capture images with the phone as well, but that’s a whole different topic.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

quixdraw wrote:

I suppose, in part, it is what you are accustomed to. Having used viewfinders all my life, I tend to agree with you. In practice, when i had to use a tough camera without a viewfinder on a job, it was clearly inferior to a viewfinder whenever conditions were unfavorable. That said, we may well be in a minority, since many others prefer Live View or Monitor.

I agree too.
Having my arms close to my body helps the stabilization also.

User ID

nadelewitz wrote:

One of the most important things for taking pictur... (show quote)

C'mawwwwnnnn .....
you already know the answer is phones.

BebuLamar

That was for a typical 35mm camera of the early 80's and earlier. Today, cameras are used without the eyelevel viewfinder you simply can't hold it that way. Of those that have eyelevel viewfinder they have big grip so they are meant to be gripped with the right hand.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I was taught that just like shooting a gun, you don't pull a trigger or push a camera shutter button you squeeze the camera button or gun trigger which can be done without moving the basic structure. I agree that using your forehead does help, keeping your arms in tight is also a good practice but the squeeze of the shutter button is the true key to a great shot!

Quixdraw Loc: x

User ID wrote:

C'mawwwwnnnn .....
you already know the answer is phones.

Only the answer for some, and to a quite different question.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

I agree. Could never get a sharp image with a Canon point and shoot that had no viewfinder. This was from 2013 until 2017 when I bought a replacement, Panasonic Lumix DMC zs60. Both used as my "purse" camera. OF course being over 70 does change my "steady-ness". I even tried using a rig that was a sort of handle for the Canon, as I thought the small size might be the problem. That did not work. The Lumix is much better.

Bill_de Loc: US

My Panasonic LX-10 has no viewfinder. The flippy LCD was the best option for this shot anyway.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

BebuLamar wrote:

That was for a typical 35mm camera of the early 80's and earlier. Today, cameras are used without the eyelevel viewfinder you simply can't hold it that way. Of those that have eyelevel viewfinder they have big grip so they are meant to be gripped with the right hand.

The Canon T-90 was designed by an industrial designer who apparently wasn’t taught to hold a camera by someone who knew the traditional way. Most ‘modern’ cameras have a big right grip meant to be grabbed, rather than to be held loosely, and many ‘photographers’ don’t seem to know that most of the support of a long lens should come from the left hand.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

nadelewitz wrote:

One of the most important things for taking pictur... (show quote)

I don't know what camera you are using but its is impossible to operate my Canon 7D Mark II with either of my hands against my head/face. My left hand is supporting the lens against the camera body and my right hand in on the grip accessing various controls as well as the shutter button. My right eye socket, sometimes my right cheekbone, and the right side of my nose is pressed against the camera when I use the viewfinder. In addition, to maintain a rigid stance when hand holding I also tuck my elbows into my chest and adjust my legs for the best balance, sometimes leaning against a supportive structure.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

mwsilvers wrote:

I don't know what camera you are using but its is ... (show quote)

First you say it is impossible, then you say you have three parts of your face against the camera. Isn't your right thumb in there somewhere?

Tucking your elbows against your chest is ALSO a part of the "classic way" to hold a camera.

There isn't any argument here. Use whatever kind of holding technique you want. I still say holding a camera out away from your face, so you can view on the rear LCD, lends itself to instability.