How To Hold Your Digital SLR

To improve your chances of getting a first-rate shot, you need to go back to basics and make sure you’re holding your D-SLR properly. Correctly supporting the camera and bracing yourself where possible will minimise the effects of camera shake and allow you to get more stunning, pin-sharp images and less blurry snaps. Camera shake is the distracting blur that you sometimes see across an image, and is a particular problem in lowlight conditions where long exposures are needed. It’s caused by a slight movement in the camera as the shot is taken, and the longer the shutter is open the greater your chance of having problems.

Right Hand

Your right thumb should sit at the back of the camera, near or over the rear shuttle wheel (if your camera has one). Your forefinger should not carry any weight and be free to press the shutter button and use the other controls on the top of the camera. Your other fingers should clasp the grip and bear some of the camera’s weight.

Left Hand

Bear the majority of the camera’s weight on the palm of your left hand. Position it on the camera body, just below the lens. Hold the focus ring or the zoom ring with your thumb, forefinger and middle finger.