013 - Fundamentals of Photography: Get Better Photos by Stabilizing your Camera
Ever wondered why you get blurry photos sometimes? Why your images just aren't as crisp as they should be? Then this is the episode for you!
This week we talk about how to get crisper images through:
using the right shutter speed
Some techniques for hand-holding shots at low speeds
stabilizing your camera with monopods and tripods
properly using image stabilization in your lens and camera
This is so important in photography because, no matter what you do in post, you can't salvage a blurry photo. So you need to understand how to properly use shutter speeds and stabilizers to get the best possible images.
Some of the things we cover in the episode include:
The Hand-holding Shooting Guide:
There are general guides for how fast your shutter speed should be when you are shooting hand held.
General you set your shutter speed at or above your lens’ focal length. Ideally, you double the focal length.
You should also never go below 1/30th on a non-IS lens or camera body.
A few tips for shooting slow shutter speeds hand held
Find somewhere sturdy to place your camera on rather than shooting handheld.
Make sure the object won’t move and doesn’t have many vibrations travelling through it
The 3-Shot-Method
A way to get crisper shots with slower shutter speed.
Take 3 images back-to-back-to-back after bracing your body. The middle image should be the sharpest because you haven't moved anything (like your finger pressing or coming off of the shutter button). The first and third shots will have some movement because of this.
Shoot with your mirror locked up
On a dSLR a mirror moves to take your photographs, this can cause a huge amount of shake in a camera during a long exposure
Lock your mirror up to reduce this shake. This is typically done by entering ‘Live View Mode’
On a mirrorless camera, this isn’t necessary
What are IS and IBIS?
Image Stabilization and In-Body Image Stabilization (some manufactures have other names, but they work the same)
A feature on some lens and camera bodies that allows you to shoot between 3 and 5 stops slower than with non-IS lens and bodies
This means instead of needing to use a 1/500 shutter speed with a 500mm lens, you could feasibly get away with a 1/60 shutter speed. You will need to be super stable though.
When would you want to turn off IS and IBIS?
When shooting on a tripod. This is because IS and IBIS can cause a feedback loop by thinking that the camera is moving when it isn’t, thus introducing shake into the camera through the IS or IBIS system.
When shooting a panning photo. This is because your camera will detect the motion of your pan and try to correct for it. So the IS or IBIS will fight the photo you are trying to take, resulting in an image that isn’t as sharp as it should be.
Some higher-end lenses do have two types of IS, one for general movement and one for when you are panning. The panning IS will only counteract movement on the other axis from your pan (ie, if you are shooting a left-to-right pan, the IS would counteract up-down motion). If you have a lens that has a panning IS option, use that.
What are monopods and tripods?
Monopods are single-legged stabilizers typically used to stabilize telephoto and super-telephoto lenses. You will still need to hold your camera. Very helpful when you will be holding a heavy lens for a long time.
Tripods are three-legged stabilizers that allow you to shoot without touching or moving your camera.
Tripods vary immensely in size and weight.
From huge 20lbs ones to ones the size of a water bottle
Big ones will typically be sturdy and less resistant to movement due to outside forces
Small ones are more portable and easier to move around
Decide based upon your own needs
Tripods also vary in the type of material they are made from. Some are more light weight, some reduce vibrations going into your camera. Others are much cheaper. What you buy will once again depend on your needs.
Learn about how to properly use a tripod and the gear you should have in the episode!
Next week we are talking about lenses! These amazing devices that allow us to take so many different types of photos.