The best way to stabilise your camera is undoubtedly to use a tripod. However, it sometimes happens that this precious accessory is forgotten or that it is not allowed in certain places. If this is the case, knowing a few tips on how to stabilise your camera can be very useful in avoiding what is known in photography as "camera shake". motion blur.
What is camera shake?
Camera shake is blurred or out of focus photos caused by a slight involuntary movement during shooting (such as a vibration, hand shake or jolt). This phenomenon can even occur when the camera is mounted on a tripod. 😟
Camera shake often goes unnoticed at first glance. It can be so subtle that you don't notice it straight away. However, it becomes obvious when you zoom in on the image at 100 % or when you print it in large format.
1. Avoiding camera blur: reviewing the basics
To prevent camera shake in photography, it is essential to adopt a good position, especially for the upper body. Good anchoring is essential for stability, and as with a tripod, you need three points of contact! 😝
In photography, the wider the aperture or the slower the shutter speed (or both), the greater the risk of camera shake. That's why it's crucial to steady yourself properly, whether you're standing (with your feet slightly apart), kneeling or even lying down. Whatever position you adopt, the most important thing is to anchor yourself firmly to the ground (first point).
When you're standing, always remember to press your elbows against your body (second point) and raise your left shoulder slightly (for right-handed users) to support your head (third point). This third point can also be improved by leaning against a fixed object, such as a wall, table, bench or post, using part of your body (pelvis or shoulder) for extra stability.
The basic technique is to keep your elbows close to your body, then press the shutter release in two steps: First focus, then exhale gently and press the shutter release at the end of your breath.
In short, the aim is to recreate a 'human tripod' with your feet, elbows and a third variable stabilisation point to reduce camera shake as much as possible. These principles should considerably reduce blurred photos caused by involuntary movement. Now that we've covered the basics, let's look at how you can go further to avoid blur!
2. Increase your shutter speed
Mathematically, the faster you take your photos, the less chance you have of creating parasitic movements that cause blur.
On your camera, it's the shutter speed which determines how long the shutter remains open to expose the sensor to lightThe faster the shutter speed, the less likely you are to move. The faster the shutter speed, the less likely you are to move, and the more likely you are to get a sharp image.
A simple rule is to choose a shutter speed that is at least equal to the focal length of your lens. For example, if you are using a 50mm lens, set your shutter speed to 1/50s or faster to increase your chances of getting a sharp shot. It's a handy trick often used by photographers in the field. 🤓
However, there is a side effect to bear in mind: the faster the shutter speed, the darker your photos are likely to become, as the camera lets in less light. In this case, you will need to adjust the exposure by modifying other parameters, such as the opening of the lens.
3. Increase your openness
By speeding up the shutter speed, you reduce exposure to light, making your photos darker. To compensate for this loss of light due to increased shutter speed 😜 simply increase openness your objective. The wider the aperture, the more light enters the camera, allowing you to shoot faster without darkening your images.
In practice, this means moving from an opening of f/8 à f/5.6, f/4or even f/2.8. The lower you go in these values, the more the diaphragm is open and the more light reaches the sensor.
And there you have it, problem solved! 🎉
But what if you've already reached the limit of your aperture and can't increase the shutter speed or open the lens any further? Because, although a wide aperture gives a wonderful background blur, you may not want to blur your subject too much. You're stuck... 😱
Not quite yet! There's still one solution: adjust ISO.
4. Increase its ISO
Increasing ISO is generally the last resort in photographybecause it can generate noise on your photos, and noise is a photographer's enemy. Fortunately, this problem is becoming less and less of a concern thanks to high-performance software such as DxO PhotoLab, NoNoise AIor Noiseless AI. These tools can effectively reduce noise, freeing photographers from certain technical constraints.
To return to the question of ISOs, increasing their value - for example, from 200 à 400, 600, 800or even more - is to artificially amplify the sensor's sensitivity to light. The result, in practical terms, is that you can capture your photos more quickly, thus returning to the problem discussed in the previous section. paragraph 2 on increasing the shutter speed. This also means that you don't open the diaphragm too much, which helps to keep the background less blurred, if that's your artistic objective.
Of course, it all depends on your creative intent. That's precisely why this ISO setting is mentioned last: it's an option to be used with discernment, depending on your artistic priorities.
5. Use modern technology to reduce camera blur
In addition to manual techniques, the modern technologies built into recent cameras can greatly help you avoid camera shake. Many digital cameras are now equipped with image stabilisation (or optical stabilisation), which compensates for small involuntary movements during shooting. By activating this function, you can significantly reduce the risk of blurring, especially when using slower shutter speeds. The latest technologies offer up to 5 or even 7 levels of stabilisation. It's just enormous!
What's more, recent advances in software, such as the post-production tools mentioned above, mean that motion blur can be corrected with just a few clicks. For example, software such as On1 Photo Raw or Photoshop offer powerful features for sharpening your images. So, while anticipation and good techniques in the field remain essential, you can always rely on these tools to make up for imperfections and get sharp, professional photos..
6. Frequently asked questions about camera shake in photography
a) What is camera shake in photography?
Camera shake is a phenomenon that occurs when the camera moves slightly during shooting, creating blurred or out-of-focus images. It often occurs at slow shutter speeds or as a result of hand shake.
b) How can I avoid camera shake without a tripod?
To avoid camera shake without a tripod, adopt a stable position by hugging your elbows to your body and anchoring yourself firmly to the ground. You can also increase your shutter speed or use your camera's built-in image stabilisation.
c) Why does increasing the shutter speed reduce camera shake?
A fast shutter speed reduces the amount of time the camera is exposed to light, making it less likely that involuntary hand movements will affect the sharpness of the image.
d) What are the disadvantages of increasing ISO to avoid camera shake?
Increasing ISO allows you to compensate for the loss of light at faster shutter speeds, but it can also lead to an increase in digital noise, which degrades image quality. Fortunately, noise reduction software can correct this.
7. Conclusion on camera blur and final tips
As you've probably already read elsewhere, everything in photography revolves around the famous trio: Speed - Aperture - ISO sensitivity. This trio works like communicating vessels: a change in one of the parameters has an impact on the others. The key is to understand what you want to achieve from an artistic point of view, because this choice will guide your technical decisions.
Ultimately, mastering these three elements will enable you to achieve the creative results you're looking for, while maintaining control over sharpness, exposure and visual effect.
Here are a few points to help you limit camera shake, you'll also find plenty of other articles on capture in photography here,
See you soon,
Well photographed,
David
