20th June 2002

Lockergnomie Mark Wardell has a few tips for you shutterbugs out there: "On the subject of tripods, if you're where you can set the camera down safely, several small beanbags work wonders. Provided you can find a stable place at the correct height, they will permit you to aim the camera to get the shot while keeping it steady. Of course, you're using a handheld cable release for the shutter, right? If you're not, then you risk picking up motion from the very act of pushing the button to activate the shutter no matter what tripod you use. In fact, pushing the shutter release is where most of the motion in your pictures comes from - even on a tripod. Getting the knack of a smooth release does wonders to steady all shots, but especially hand-held shots. Oh, one last tip for hand-held shots: take the picture in that brief moment right after you exhale a breath. At that moment your body is more 'stable' then at any other time. Hold your arms in tight against your chest so it's your whole body that's holding the camera and not just your hands waving around in front of your face. As with all technology, it's not a question of what looks cool, but what works for the task at hand."