Ditch the Tripod – Sharp Handheld Photos Every Time.
I have one of my favorite guest posters here today – Lindsey from TinyPrints.com. Her first post here, Spice Up Your Smartphone With 5 Creative DIY Hacks, still gets me plenty of hits a day so I was thrilled to get another article from her. I was also thrilled because ever since my beloved tripod fell into the Hudson River, I have never bought another one. I do have steady hands and a knack for fast shutter speeds, but I learn so much from Lindsey. And after a wonderful whirlwind weekend in New Jersey & Connecticut, I’m looking forward to resting back a bit and letting Lindsey take it away. After these messages:
And now that I got all that off my chest, and wishing I had taken photos of the kids’ three hour fun at Aunt Marisa and Uncle Matt’s house, it’s time to formerly introduce the awesome Lindsey. I hope you learn a lot from her! I know I have:
Ditch the Tripod: Sharp Handheld Photos Every Time
By Lindsey Leigh Graham for Tinyprints.com
There are many situations where a tripod is necessary, but as a photographer, it is also important to practice improving your own steady hand. There’s a certain freedom that comes with being able to cover more ground and remain mobile without the added weight of a tripod holding you down. By understanding the necessary components for achieving sharp handheld images, you will have the ability and confidence to take the chances needed to make it happen every time!
Photo 1: Hand held image of ibis in flight shot at 1/1250 of a second.
Develop Stable Hand Holding and Shutter Release Techniques
Vibration reduction (VR) lenses have been a lifesaver for photographers that lack a steady hand. While these lenses significantly help reduce camera shake, they also come with a hefty price tag. There are plenty of spectacular lenses out there without the VR feature, so don’t rule a lens out just because it lacks VR. Instead, put in some practice and perfect your steady hand technique.
For shake free results, be sure to cradle your lens from the bottom to more effectively support its weight. Try to pull your elbows close to your body and exhale before pressing the shutter (I find myself, more often than not, holding my breath). While this is effective for shooting, it’s not very enjoyable to be shooting all day with limited oxygen intake!
For more support, try bending down and resting your elbow on your knee. You can also lean on any available structure or set the camera down, say, on top of a ledge or a stack of books, and use a timer or shutter release button.
It can be hard to relax when shooting a high-pressure situation, but it is also important to avoid being nervous and jamming the shutter button. This quick trigger finger can cause camera shake with slower shutter speeds. Instead, practice rolling your finger on and off the shutter release to make the motion as smooth as possible.
Photo 2: Use surroundings to steady yourself
Select Appropriate Camera Settings
There is no universal shutter speed guaranteed to eliminate camera shake. Each individual’s steadiness of hand can vary considerably, but the lowest shutter speed for obtaining sharp photos of relatively stable subjects (think inanimate objects, landscapes or posed portraits) lies somewhere between 1/50 and 1/80 of a second. As a general rule, start off with your shutter speed set to the same number as your focal length. For example, an 80mm lens would require 1/80 of a second shutter speed to achieve a sharp image. This technique does not necessarily hold true for lenses below 35mm, as there is very little chance you will be able to hand hold your 20mm lens at 1/20 of a second and still achieve a sharp photo. The photos below were taken with a 50mm at 1/50 and 1/20 of a second.
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Photo 3&4: Shot with a 50mm lens at 1/50 and 1/20 of a second.
Note that fast-moving subjects will generally require a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 of a second to eliminate motion blur (due to the subject’s rapid movement, not camera shake) and achieve a freeze frame action shot. When shooting fast-moving subjects, ensure a shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second by bumping up the ISO and opening the aperture.
Lens Choice is Important
Longer focal lengths usually require faster shutter speeds, due to the fact that the more you zoom in, the more the image shakes and moves in the frame. Following the rule mentioned above, a 200mm lens would require a shutter speed of 1/200 of a second. However, these lenses tend to be heavier and can thus add to the difficulty of obtaining a sharp image, therefore 1/200 of a second may not be fast enough. If your subject is immobile, start with 1/200, and if your photos are not sharp enough, incrementally increase your shutter speed. If your subject is fast-moving and you are using a long heavy lens, you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 to get a crisp shot.
Photo 5: Variety of lens choices
Every lens has an aperture sweet spot where you have a better chance of getting a sharp photo. This sweet spot is usually somewhere in the middle of the lens’ range, so if possible, try to avoid shooting at the very end of either side of the spectrum. Since every lens is different it is important to take the time to find that sweet spot. Set your camera up on a tripod, focus on something immobile, and shoot throughout the aperture range. The results will be obvious once viewed on the big screen. When hand holding the camera, increase your chances of sharp images by using the resulting aperture settings.
Consider Subject Matter
There are times when a tripod only hinders your movement and does not allow you the flexibility of motion needed to get the shot. Photographing wildlife or fast paced action can be extremely frustrating when movement is restricted. If the camera is set on a tripod and your subject appears just outside of the frame, it is difficult to move the entire set up, reframe the shot, and readjust your horizon very quickly, especially when working on uneven ground (in my case at the beach, sand).
In the following photo (photo 6) any wave caught outside the tripod’s range of view would not fit in the frame, and it was impossible to move quickly enough to readjust; this significantly limited the number of waves that fell within shooting range. However, hand holding allowed more freedom of movement and it became apparent that the sharpness in the hand held image on the left (photo 7) was comparable to the shot taken with a tripod (photo 8) on the right.
Photo 6: A tripod can stabilize a shot but it becomes difficult to readjust set up and reframe if subject is out of view
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Phot 7&8: Hand held action shot and similar shot taken with a tripod are equally sharp. Both shot at 1/1000 of a second.
There are definitely times where the use of a tripod is unavoidable. Creative shots of moving water with specific sharp areas, stitched panoramas, night scenes and certain low light situations will certainly require the added stability of a tripod. However, the flexibility of hand holding your camera can have a significant impact on when and where you can get great shots and open up other exciting opportunities.
Lindsey Leigh Graham is an amateur wildlife and surf photographer based in Folly Beach, S.C. Inspired by the surrounding coastline, she creates beautiful and functional wall art using reclaimed wood and glass, as well as photo cards from her images with Tinyprints.com.
Great tips and I admit I have a pretty shaky hand no matter what though, but still will have to try a few of these and see if I can indeed improve this a bit. Thanks and also so glad you had a wonderful weekend visit with your family. Saw so many of the pics on Facebook and you know I couldn’t help, but smile so!! 🙂
I missed you this weekend!
I have a pretty steady hand, but photography is a job that’s a lot harder on the body than it seems. I worry that I will have to one day stop doing it when I’m older. At least I still have writing!
Tamara, I missed you, too and I know writing is always great to have to fall back on no matter what 😉
It’s a great one! My grandfather was an artist and he did it until his 90s, so I’m hopeful.
That does give great hope!!
And I’m talking his mid to late 90s!
Wow!! 😉
I love this post! Wow, you have a nice collection on lenses!!! I normally never use a tripod, I love the freedom of just holding the camera!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
I’m so jealous of her collection of lenses!
I am so with you on the freedom of just holding the camera. I used to use tripods and I couldn’t stand it.
Aw, that photo of Scarlet, your dad and the dog is so sweet!
I have used my surroundings in situations where I have needed a steady hand, or at least have tried. While I don’t have a tripod, there have been times I have wished I had one, so this was really helpful. Thanks!
I remember taking photos of a bridge at night and using a railing on the bridge! sometimes you definitely have to use something other than your hands. I love the way she wrote this.
Did I give you your father’s tripod? If not, I may still have it!
I’m not sure! Would it work with my camera now? I’d love to see it.
I think it is in the basement in a light brown leather case..I will look!
Thanks! No hurry.
I love these tips! I am always trying to improve mypboto skills and I think these tips are awesome. My go to lens for my blog is a 50mm lens but I will be shooting some kiddos next weekend for sports and will have to make sure I incorporate the higher shutter speed, and maybe even rent a new lens to bring with me!
I’m all about renting lenses! Or borrowing.
And I love my 50 mm at least 80% of the time.
I really wish I had an actual camera. I do okay with my phone, but I feel like I could do so much better with the real thing.
I definitely like to have a mix of both. I think I’ve even seen tripods for smartphones!
Thank you Tamara and Lindsey! I am bookmarking this to reference! I am so excited to learn more about photography with my new camera!
Yes! Your new camera so awesome. I have one of those for back up and sometimes I let Cassidy take it on his exotic trips.
It amazes me the amount of skill it takes to know how to take a great photo. I’ve been trying to read more tips about photography so I was happy to read this today.
I’m glad! I love reading about photography. I find that I learn something new each time.
GREAT POST!!! For far too long I’ve been learning by trial and error, recently I have become a camera tech blog post junkie, haha.. love this info, very helpful!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
I hear you! I used to do jobs as trial and error. And then I decided to get really into the details.
It’s taken me far too long to learn that I can get better by taking the time to study, instead of just making heaps and heaps of mistakes! lol!
I totally hear you. I even did paid work making heaps of mistakes! I think probably all photographers do at first.
I miss you all already, love the photo THANK GOD I’LL SEE YOU IN A FEW DAYS;) and rock Des man to sleep, and dance with scarlet in the ice castles!
I miss you too! And all that stuff sounds so good.
I really need to move beyond struggles to take a simple selfie, don’t I? So many times I wish I had the skill and equipment to get cool shots, especially of my girls playing soccer.
Michelle is really into taking sports photos. I don’t have a lot of sports events to photograph, but if I do love getting out there with the long lens and the fast shutter speeds.
Just wait until Scarlet becomes a soccer princess. Marie did it.
Well I sure hope she does. She’s got an excellent kicking leg. Lefty!
This so makes me want to upgrade my camera, but I’m just not there yet. I really need something, I’m getting more reviews and need better pics! 🙂 Oh yeah, and the kiddos. LOL! 🙂
Definitely all of the above! Sometimes I won’t even pin blog posts that have terrible photos. And of course the kids.
Oh Tamara you know I’m going to be coming back to this post again and again. Although I upgraded to a DSLR last February, there’s the 70D that I plan on upgrading to once again this year and I need all the help I can get. I’ve cut back on reviews but I want to be able to photograph my kids until they are old and gray. 🙂 I want to capture every moment and I want to be able to do that close to flawlessly like you do.
I’m so glad! Photography is such a rewarding skill to have. Think of all the great photos of Madison!
I love these tips, Tamara. So helpful. I’ve ditched my DSLR lately and enjoyed taking pics on my iPhone. Instagram is so much fun that it is hard to resist something that is so handy and beautiful.
I know how that is. I try to use a mix of both, and they both have a special place!
Thank you for these great tips Lindsey. I hope to have some time to “play” with my camera this spring. I would love to get better at photography. Your photos are beautiful.
I can’t wait to do spring photography. So glad you liked her post.
Great photos, Tamara, and that farm looks amazing. I like the retro Snow White picture 🙂 Thank you for having Lindsey here and I still have used her tricks from the earlier post and now am devouring all of her information and helpful hints here. I have hand shaking so that was a biggie. Have a great day! 🙂
yes, her tips rock! I’m glad you used them last time too.
I just love that I was once snow white for Halloween. I always thought it was just an adult thing for me.
Good thing that photography is not my life’s work as my hand steadiness is the worst. Especially when I’m trying to photograph my children doing something like singing or performing, because then my adrenaline gets pumping and I get a terrible case of the shakes. I love that Des wanted to stay close to your sister.. that’s adorable.
It’s funny how you can get a shaky hand just by thinking about it. I have very steady hands, but I worry that all of my writing and photo editing will ruin my wrists!
I love these tips, thanks for sharing them! I never use my tripod and I just started shooting manually so I will take all the tips I can get. That first shot with the birds flying is amazing!
Yes that is an amazing photo! It’s funny is that I just took a lot of bird flying photos in Florida and I wanted to share them. Maybe I still will!
Such great tips and man do I have a shaky hand sometimes. Love these tips especially to remember to breathe. I find that if I’m trying to get a steady shot I totally hold my breath. Now I just have to pull out my DSLR more!
It’s so interesting how it’s about the breathing. And really, wouldn’t you agree that almost everything in life is better with good breathing?
What a beautiful sunset! Maybe one of these days I’ll graduate from my iPhone.
It can be hard! Even professional photographers use their iPhones way too much.
Nice tips, thank you. I have the shakes, maybe it’s countless glasses of coffee throughout my motherhood, but I cannot seem to hold still.
XOXO
I actually get a major case of the shakes when I drink coffee, so I had to go all decaf. It’s sad!
The dreaded shaky hand syndrome! I am going to try the holding my breath tip. Hopefully not holding it longer than necessary to capture a great shot! Thanks for sharing for great tips here Lindsey 🙂
Photographers are pretty hard-core. I can see myself holding my breath just to get a great shot.
My hands are so steady. Maybe it’s because I went all decaf.
Ohhhh this is awesome!! Yeah I remember my professor told us to hold our breath when taking a photo but it’s not practical to do that all the time. LOL. I wanna learn more! I think I can still control my shaky hand but there are really bad times ya know. Geez.
I know what you mean. I do have steady hands, but sometimes when I think about it they will shake. Just thinking about it!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thanks for sharing Lindsey with us. Taking better pictures is one of my goals for this year, although I might be a lost cause!
I had a very good weekend, thank you!
And I’m very happy to share her with you. She knows her stuff!
Ahhh, I love these photography tips! Especially since sometimes it just feels like you REALLY can’t get a photo with it being slightly blurry and I HATE that!!! I took some notes here and I’m definitely going to try them out!
Well you probably take pictures of toddlers a lot! They are big producers of blurry photos!
Awesome tips!! I’ve been working on my ‘hold it steady’ technique, it gets harder as the light fades but it’s definitely improving. Definitely going to try holding my breath 🙂
It’s true. When that light starts moving away, it gets hard! These tips are fantastic!
Great tips!!! Ya know, my husband got me a fancy camera (and by fancy I mean one that’s from an actual camera store, ha!), but I’ve still been SO BAD about just using my iphone for everything. I think it’s a mix of not knowing what I’m doing with the camera and being too lazy to actually upload pics…but trying to get better at that…your pics are always an inspiration!!!
That really makes me happy to hear. And I use my iPhone a lot too. Especially when you’re just walking around town or city, and the light changes a lot.
Love this by you and Lindsey! I am so motivated to take a class now…wish you lived closer! I’m thinking about getting a 50 mm…just need to actually do it!
I would definitely give you a private lesson if I lived closer! The 50 mm is wonderful. I personally don’t enjoy the 1.8, but that’s just my opinion!
Awesome tips! I mainly use my iPhone for pictures, but I want to start using my camera again. Her collection of lenses is making me drool 🙂
Me too! I wish I could buy a ton of lenses. And I use a mix of my phone and my camera. Different times call for different measures.
I do not yet own a tripod, so I appreciate these tips! I’m going to pin this so I can come back and re-read. I just can’t seem to remember any of the photography tips I learn.
It can be hard to remember them unless you put them into practice so many times. And I always wonder if I should replace my tripod or not! I usually do okay without it.
Thanks for the tips! I always am thankful for photography tips as I really don’t know what I’m doing when I’m holding a camera.
It can be very daunting! I still think I have so much to learn and I’ve been practicing for years. And technology changes.
And you in your comfy socks. Whenever I see socks like that I call them Tamara socks. I wish you had on Tamara socks in the Snow White photo. THEN I’d believe it was you. 😉 Aunt Lindsay’s glass of wine looks good. We are iced in and the only thing we have is beer.
Do you not believe it’s me? It’s Scarlet, isn’t it?
I love what you said about Tamara socks. I even do that and I am Tamara!
Oh yes, I know it’s you. I was just teasing. But yeah you should have had on Tamara socks back then 😉
Ha! I was totally teasing back. It is pretty funny though. Scarlet wears Tamara socks.
😉
I always have shaky hands. Those lens are amazing!! Can you tell I use a tiny little Nikon Cool Pix?!
Haha, nah – I couldn’t tell!
Oh, how I wish I had a steady hand…I HATE using a tripod. No patience…at all. Thanks for sharing your tips; I’ll definitely be using them!
I’m just impressed that you even used one! I haven’t used one since I worked for another studio, instead of working for myself. I think they come in handy a lot, but I’d rather do these tips!
Beautiful images! I still use my old point-and-shoot camera, but one of these days would love to splurge on a “real” camera.
It’s a great splurge! Although now they have tripods for nearly everything. Even smart phones!
I still use a point and shoot, but these tips are incredible.
I totally agree! And the tips can help you with any kind of camera. It’s about learning how to stand and breathe.
I love the picture of the bird flying in the flock. That’s amazing. I’d love to be able to get a shot like that. Thanks for the tips!
I love it too. I actually took photos somewhat like that when I was in Florida. I will share them soon!
These are great! I find that my hands shake more and more.
A lot of people seem to say that! Luckily there are ways to still take sharp photos.
these are such great tips! I am definitely going to take the suggestion to take shots using a tripod, and then switch to hand held so I can learn the best setting.
That’s so smart! I don’t know if that’s ever occurred to me. I usually use a messy trial and error method.
Very cool! I will remember these tips for my trip!
They will certainly come in handy abroad.
I just found maine coon kittens for sale ! they are so sweet! You can take pictures of them.
I love these tips, they are totally going to help me develop my skills!! I definitely get shakey lol
I hear you but your photos show very steady hands!
I read this a few days ago when underground and now I’m reading it again, so good! Thank you for the practical advice without all the fluff!!
Thank you so much for coming back to it! It’s such good advice and told in great ways.
This reminds me of how I instruct older students on how to draw when they are shaky. I like the part about exhaling. So often, we forget to breathe!
That is so cool! Do you talk about breathing with your students?
These are great tips. I’m going to pin this so I can come back to it.
Thanks! I keep reading it over and over even though it’s my own blog. She just has ideas I’ve never had.
These are fabulous tips. I really have minimal experience with cameras but I really want to get a “real” camera with lenses and stuff (how’s that for a technical name). LOL
I’ve been telling myself that once I make enough money from my blog, I would treat myself to a MacBook Pro and a “real” camera. I hope that can happen soon.
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely evening.
xoxo
I love to think about ways to treat myself when I make extra money. That is so awesome and I hope you reach your goal soon!
These photos are beautiful! I always find myself in funky positions taking pictures so that I can prop my arms on something to remain steady. I look ridiculous when I’m out back on my patio (I live around a lot of people) with a plate of food on the ground, hovering over it with my arms propped on my knees holding on ever so still, ha.
Oh that is funny! It would be funny if someone took a picture of you taking pictures on your deck.