I have recently came a cross a great video by Joe McNally explaining some tips and tricks about a very obvious thing: holding your camera. A true must-see for every SLR user. Also, if you don't know the guy in the movie (one of the best photographers of our time), consider visiting his blog :]
As the author is saying, his methods are to be found most useful if you own a solid SLR body (battery pack is recommended here!) and... you're "left-eyed". I'm not (naturally composing pictures using the right eye) but I found it quite easy to take some pictures using the left one. So, behold! A new image stabilizer unit is available for your camera at a cost of 0.00 $ :] I've tested it myself and it works like charm... Anyway, the video made me think a little bit more about how to hold your camera the right way. It seems obvious now that in contrast with using point&shoot cameras, approaching SLR's forces you to be "aware" of your hands. Yes, they can't just fly around your body like a pair of wings. When taking photos you should try to squize you elbows to the body (which isn't very natural thing to do). Same thing can be applied when holding your camera vertically. In low light conditions I avoid putting my right hand at the top of the camera (like in the image below). Instead, I turn my SLR clockwise, so the shutter release button is "under" my lens now which makes it easier to have both hands supporting your grip with elbows closer to your tummy :] Still, I think you won't find those kind of advices in your camera's user manual...
Feel free to let me know what YOU think. In next two blog entries I'll write something about exposure metering systems in DSLR's and why I used one called "spot" with +2EV compensation to make this white manual page look white :]
