Thanks for your correction and pointing out that my quote was "100 percent false"...I actually had not considered that any of the 'big guns' would be reading my advice and trying to apply it to their situation... I posted that with the idea in mind that most of the photos that readers of this forum would be taking are probably pictures such as landscapes, family photos, vacation shots and not the very active sporting events.... And yes, I did not mean for my advice to apply to ALL situations, there really is no such thing as some sort of "Universal Practice" that should be used all of the time.... I'm not sure how I should put in some sort of 'disclaimer' on my future postings to make sure that professional sports photographers are not led astray by something I have suggested.....!! [Grins]

Currently I am working on a posting that covers panning with the action, burst mode shooting as well as selecting high frame rates and shutter speeds...just in case some professionals such as yourself might take my advice the wrong way....

Ever tried a "string tripod"?
While taking pictures atop of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, another photographer was shooting the same scene. It was late in the day, sun setting and I am trying to get a good shot without movement. She pulls out a long string from her pocket and hands it to me. On one end the string was tied to an eye bolt. She tells me to screw the eye bolt into the bottom of the camera, let the string hang to the ground, stand on the string and pull up. The tension steadied the camera and acted as a tripod. From that chance meeting a have a tool I carry with me at all times (just in case) and a made a new friend - we've stayed I touch over the past 12 years.

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...!"