How To Hold A Camera

Want to know how to hold a camera? No matter what kind of camera you are using, the correct way to hold a camera is to cradle it in you hands.  Old style film cameras were bulky and heavy, but even though digital cameras are less so, it still is important to give these cameras good support when taking photographs.  Although most upscale digital cameras come with stabilizers, it is important to give your camera as much support as possible.  Body movement in still photography destroys pictures.

1. Positioning Your Hands Always have your right hand placed so that the heal of your hand is supporting the camera, but in such a way that your index finger is on the shutter release.  Keep your left hand under the left side of the camera so that you can support the lens of your camera as well as the body of the camera itself.
2. When Your Hands Are Not Enough Even with a stabilizer, there are certain situations when the use of a tripod is advisable or necessary.  Close-ups almost always require a tripod so that the subject is not inadvertently lopped off on one side of the frame by a slight movement of your body. Night shots and other low light situations are better handled with a tripod.  
3. Safety Even if you don't own a top-of-the-line camera with a $5,000.00 price tag, you have probably spent what you can afford and need to protect your camera from bouncing off the sidewalk or being stolen as you line up your next shot. Always keep in mind that your camera is an investment you need to protect.  Even though you may operate with a tiny camera, most of them have a place to attach a strap.  Having a strap around your neck or wrist ensures that your camera is better protected from being dropped or snatched out of your hand.