I know, you (like most of us) think we’re beyond being told how to hold an SLR camera when taking a picture. You grab it by the grip, you cradle the lens, you hold still – and you snap the shot. Nothing could be easier. In my time around photographers (and around non-photographers who happened to be holding a camera) I’ve seen a wide array of variations on the theme. Some are just minor manipulations of a popular and sound method for taking photographs, and some are just downright strange (though not always wrong).
Joe McNally is one of my favorite photographers of all time, and he has a slightly different twist to gripping the camera, which is especially useful when taking pictures using a slow shutter speed – allowing you to regain one or possible two stops when shooting.
Even the most modern camera bodies and fastest lenses will experience a lack of light at some point. Perhaps you just want a slow shutter to help create a sense of movement or flow in your shot. Whatever the reason – this is a handy tip. Unfortunately, since Joe is left-eyed, the trick doesn’t work quite as well for right-eyed folks (like me) – but like Joe says, there are elements that even we can take from this.
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January 16th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Some very useful tips, even thou I am right eye focus I think you can take things from this.
Regards
Adrian
http://www.weddingphotoshot.com
March 26th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Sweet — I’m left-eyed. I’m totally trying this out at my next wedding. There’s definitely something to be said for proper ergonomics, especially when you’re shooting for a few hours. Those little kinks and bends add up pretty quickly into some wicked finger/elbow/back/leg fatigue!
May 9th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Did you ever get to try it?
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
It’s certainly something we have to think about as it affects our health. I think it’s a shame that Nikon and Canon haven’t made some waist level viewfinder cameras. When we used to use medium format cameras for weddings, the camera was in a more natural position for the body. 35mm cameras were so much lighter, so it didn’t have the same effect. Many thanks Joe.
August 5th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Even though I’m not left eyed I found this useful. Thank you for guiding me to this video!
February 15th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Wow, I never would have thought of this technique! I must admit, at first I thought that I would not like this and it would give me a neck cramp. After a few test shots, I got much sharper shots. Thanks Joe!
March 20th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Thanks for sharing the tips and techniques from this. I wanna this.