A breathing trick when you need to hold a camera steady (Page 4): I will also wrap the neck strap around my arm to help hold it steady. Simply pull the arm snug to steady it. Also if I...

Drala2k Loc: Vermont

I will also wrap the neck strap around my arm to help hold it steady. Simply pull the arm snug to steady it. Also if I am out walking with my carbon hiking stick, I will balance the camera on top, another poor man's monopod.

SS how do you know when the tripod is breathing out, I have not been able to tell. :lol:

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Marionsho wrote:

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

In Zipaquira I used a flash or a tripod.

Blasthoff Loc: Life halved NY and IN

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.

That can work and I would suggest to anyone to practice doing it. It probably is the best way to start for most people. With a 35mm camera I often fired the shutter this way when in the vertical position. When I use the grip position, it is with little to no actual grip pressure, I then squeeze the thumb, middle and/or ring finger (front and back) equally with the shutter finger. Again, the goal is to apply equal pressures cancelling camera movement. You can practice that by just using your fingers. Use your thumb, shutter finger and middle/ring finger and practice closing them together like the jaws of a drill chuck as a visualization.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

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

Only is you commit a violent maneuver with a remote shutter release! :? :? :?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Drala2k wrote:

I will also wrap the neck strap around my arm to help hold it steady. Simply pull the arm snug to steady it.

A lot of shooting analogies here.

You can also tuck you arms up tight to your chest for extra stability. How the camera is held will also make a great difference. I use my left hand to cup the lens while gently squeezing (the Charmin) with my right index finger. Also keeps my left hand on the focus ring for touch of focusing. Works for me when i am forced to shoot without my tripod.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

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

Yes, you should be out of air when taking any photograph under any circumstances, especially on a tripod, monopod, or similar devise. Always remember the Purple Rule of Photography, A Purple face guarantees vibration will leave no trace.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Breathing or holding breathing VR works best for me.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

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

Yeah, the two legged tripods.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

BobHartung wrote:

A lot of shooting analogies here.

You can also tuck you arms up tight to your chest for extra stability. How the camera is held will also make a great difference. I use my left hand to cup the lens while gently squeezing (the Charmin) with my right index finger. Also keeps my left hand on the focus ring for touch of focusing. Works for me when i am forced to shoot without my tripod.

http://youtu.be/EDsx3-FWfwk

Or we can practice "Da Grip". A Hog shared with us.
Ol Joe jus might know. :D
And for the cat lovers....
:http://youtu.be/_s8I1DCokgw

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Marionsho wrote:

Or we can practice "Da Grip".

yeah, I practice da grip!! First I feel good, then I shoot good!!!

Come on guys, this is all pure BS!!!!!

Let's examine this closely, and I mean for real. All this rifle analogy crap is pure BS.
With a rifle you're shooting with the equivalent of a 2000mm lens. Then it's like having a field of view a micron wide because the VERY center of the lens has to be on the target or you'll miss it. Our lenses view might be 1000 feet wide. Your not gonna miss it!
What...., does everybody here shoot only in the dark, handheld and on 10 second speed?!?! Nobody shoots that handheld!
I fully understand the need to hold your camera steady. But you're NOT trying to put an object 3/8" in diameter through a 3" hole at 500 feet!!!!
At best you're trying to keep a bird the size of an eagle inside a 30' diameter circle and it doesn't even have to stay in the center!!!
This discussion belongs in a target shooters forum, not a photography forum. I can't see how they are remotely related.
In all the time I've ever used a camera, I don't recall even once worrying about my breathing, let alone my heartbeat!!
C'mon guys, are you for REAL?!?!?!?! No wonder I tend to take so little here as sound photographic advice.
Give us an example where you feel this EVER made a difference?!?! I can't!!! :lol:
SS

anotherview Loc: California

Yes, the shooter, on breathing out, must feel a sense of relaxation in the upper body before pushing the shutter button or pulling the trigger.

I find that taking a deep breath and then naturally exhaling achieves this relaxation. The mind relaxes, too.

Orca wrote:

I have shot hand guns competitively for years. Taking a breath in and letting out about 2/3 worked best for me. If you are reading this try taking that breath in and the let out say 1/2. How does your chest feel? Then try again letting out 2/3 and see if you notice a difference. You should feel more at ease with one or the other. See what works for you. Being relaxed is what you are looking for.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

SharpShooter wrote:

yeah, I practice da grip!! First I feel good, then... (show quote)

I don't have the luxury of turning off my pacemaker. Maybe someday.
OK, for the cat lovers, jus check out Nigal. He's a stunner.
Marion

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

SharpShooter wrote:

yeah, I practice da grip!! First I feel good, then... (show quote)

When I did wedding photography for 40 years I used a breathing pattern similar to what these folks are talking about. I used a Hasselblad and Nikon camera. I took every precaution to make sure each and every image was as sharp as possible. I felt an obligation, because I charged and arm and a leg, to give the client the best possible product. If I had to study breathing for photography, I did so, did it help?, I really don't know, it did help me to relax, and believe me, shooting a wedding, you need all the relaxation you can get.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

SharpShooter wrote:

yeah, I practice da grip!! First I feel good, then... (show quote)

I believe we are discussing being steady. And the principles of being steady are the same. Camera, rifle or any other activity needing to be steady.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

SharpShooter wrote:

yeah, I practice da grip!! First I feel good, then I shoot good!!!

Come on guys, this is all pure BS!!!!!

I fully understand the need to hold your camera steady. But you're NOT trying to put an object 3/8" in diameter through a 3" hole at 500 feet!!!!
:lol:
SS

But, we are trying to keep all our "pixels in a row". No overlapping, smeared or fuzzy ones. A steady hand with the camera, borrowing techniques from any discipline, is a primary requisite.
I have used a bean (sand) bag for both shooting a rifle and shooting pictures. Whatever works