Camera Shake
Shaking during picture taking is caused by holding the camera too loosely. The problem arises when you are taking a series of shots, each shot being triggered by the press of a button, and the shutter speed is too fast. In this instance, there will be a delay between one shot ending and the next starting. This results in a movement blur.
If you take your camera to a specialist you will be advised to use a tripod. When using a tripod, you need to consider the angle of the camera. When using a camera with a fixed lens, such as the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II, the best angle is a vertical shot, so you want to position the camera level with the horizon.
When shooting a series of pictures, with a fixed lens, you should hold the camera firmly so that there is no delay between shots. Alternatively, switch to the manual mode and set the shutter speed to 1/1000th second.
When using a zoom lens, the best angle is again level with the horizon and you should keep the camera steady. If possible, use a tripod.
Another cause of shaking is hand vibration. If you use a compact camera, try to hold the camera closer to your face. A larger camera can cause hand shaking. Hold the camera firmly to prevent it from moving and make sure you’re not wearing a watch.
Other tips
1. Use a tripod: When you shoot with your smartphone camera, you will notice a blurriness in the images. The reason is obvious: your camera does not have the same stability as a professional camera. A professional camera has a built-in motor which makes it easier to move and steady the camera. But this motor is absent in your phone camera. To correct the problem, you need to use a tripod. A tripod has two legs which rest on a table or ground. This way, the camera is fixed and stable. Your phone camera needs a stand. If you are using an old phone, you will find it difficult to find a suitable tripod for your smartphone. The best solution is to buy a second-hand tripod for your smartphone and then attach it to your phone via a suction base. This kind of attachment means the phone remains attached to the tripod. A third option is to buy a phone tripod adapter. It is made of plastic and attaches directly to the back of your phone. This is a cheap and easy solution but it has its drawbacks: the camera is not fixed to the tripod and, therefore, you have less control over the camera, especially if you have a small smartphone. So, choose wisely.
2. Focus: Before you begin to take photos, focus on the subject. Move the focus slider of your camera until it is on the subject. You should be able to see the picture clearly. Try moving the focus slider from one end to the other and seeing how it changes the quality of your pictures. If you are still struggling, take a picture of the screen and zoom in on it to see the difference between the various focus levels.
3. Choose your settings: Now that you have got the basics, it’s time to get more specific. Take a look at your camera’s settings and decide what you want to capture. Choose a setting for the subject and one for the background. For example, you could use a large aperture (low f-stop) to capture the entire image and a low aperture (high f-stop) for the background. Using a large aperture means that the camera takes in a lot of light and creates bright pictures. A large aperture will allow you to create dramatic effects, like making the water sparkle in the sunlight. However, it will not let you keep control over the image: you will get more movement, and possibly even shake, in the photo. Using a low aperture means that the camera allows only a small amount of light in. This is useful for capturing a blurry background. The image will be dark, but the background will be clear.
4. Keep the shutter open: Once you have set the shutter speed, you have to decide whether you want to use a slow shutter or a fast one. A slow shutter allows you to take a long exposure and create an artistic effect. With a long exposure, the shutter stays open for a while. During this period, the camera continues to take pictures, even though the shutter is closed.
The result is a blurred, ghostly image, which looks almost as if the image was taken in slow motion. This technique is known as ‘shutter drag’ and it creates beautiful effects. When the shutter is open for a long period, there will be no light in the frame. As a result, only objects that are not moving will remain in the image. The background and foreground will become blurry and ghostly, and it may even appear as if a light source is moving through the image.
5. Move the camera: If you have decided to use a slow shutter, you need to ensure that you are moving the camera slowly. Otherwise, the picture will be a blur.
6. Adjust the white balance: If you are using a flash, you will need to adjust the white balance so that the white of the object in the image appears white. If you are shooting outside, you will need to adjust the white balance to match the sunlight. This can be done by using your phone’s manual settings, which is usually on the back of your phone.
7. Get your hands out of the way: You might be tempted to hold your phone, which is a great help in taking a picture, and move your arms around. But, as we have seen, the image can be distorted. Also, you will be taking up space which you could use to take a different shot.
8. Take a break: You will need to take a break sometimes. Your phone is not an efficient tool for taking photos and you can get tired after several minutes. So, give yourself a break. Make sure you have charged your phone and then go out and take a walk.
9. Refresh your memory: You might need to review the pictures you have taken on your phone and think about how to improve them. If you find that you are struggling with your photography skills, you may want to consider enrolling in a course or buying a camera that has more advanced features.
10. Practice: Photography is a skill that you need to practice. It is not an art which can be achieved overnight. It’s true that you can create beautiful images with just a little practice. Take some time to read about the various settings of the camera and experiment with them.
11. Take advantage of the good times: Take advantage of the good weather, sunny days and clear skies. You can easily create stunning photos in these conditions.
12. Don’t take it too seriously: Don’t let the images you take with your smartphone distract you from the real beauty of life.