While we were at the Las Vegas Photoshop World, Photofocus hosted a focus group breakfast. Our mission, ask our loyal subscribers what topics they want us to write about and give us honest feedback on how we are doing.
Several people commented, “We want more controversial articles that make us think, don’t be afraid to hold back.” So, here is an article that I’m sure is going to offend a few people, well only those that are not holding their camera correctly!
Last week I photographed a swim meet for Aran, talented 13-year-old multi-sport athlete. Aran adopted my son Alec as his big brother and Lacrosse mentor. While I was waiting for him to compete, I watched their team’s photographer taking photos of the kids. Two things I noticed, first he invested a LOT of money in camera gear and second, he was holding the camera WRONG.
Should I say something or let it go?
I turned to Jeff, Aran’s father, and asked if he knew the guy and is he open-minded to suggestions. Jeff just smiled knowing the teacher in me is about to come out. I waited until I made eye contact with the stranger. I smile as I introduced myself and we chatted about photography.
When I found an in, I asked if he was open minded to photography suggestions. He hesitated and said yes but his face said who the H&!! are you! I paused and said never mind but he said no really what is it. I proceed to show him a “different” way to hold his camera. Noticed I said “different” to avoid offending him plus nobody was around, it was just him and I.
I said, when you hold your camera, especially with a long telephoto lens, cup the barrel and bring your elbow tight into your body. Look through the eyepiece as you firmly press the camera to your forehead. You just made a steady tripod. This will reduce the risk of camera shake, which causes blurry photos. Reaching over the barrel is causing your elbow to be out, weighing the barrel down.
How did he take the advice?
In my opinion, not well. He proceeded to say I’m doing fine the way I’m shooting. Besides, when you shoot at 1/4000 of a second it doesn’t matter. His arrogance almost made me say, IT’S BAD FORM and bad form is just that, BAD. Â You spent all this money on camera gear but your ego won’t let you take a class on how to use it? How can you hit a baseball if you don’t hold the bat properly or play golf if you don’t know how to swing a club? The answer is you can’t!
I just smiled and said okay and reminded him he said he has an open mind. He mellowed a little and said alright I’ll give it a try the next time I’m shooting at a slower shutter speed. He then made an awkward exit.
When I told a friend about the incident, he said why must you offer unsolicited advice? Honestly, it’s in my nature to help others. Normally, my unsolicited advice is received well. I make sure I don’t make a person feel dumb or inferior. To avoid possible embarrassment, I speak to them when no one is around. My purpose is to help. What better way to help than to teach the first basic lesson in photography, how to hold your camera.
Vanelli
Currently he is teaching workshops, writing for Photofocus and creating tutorials for various plug-in companies and for the Vanelli and Friends series.
You can find out more about Vanelli at www.VanelliandFriends.com
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I recently noticed my friend holds his camera the same way while I’ve always naturally held a camera the correct way.
I never said anything though because I didn’t know it was wrong, just seemed counterproductive to me. And he thinks he knows way more than I do even though I’ve only had my camera a little over a month, so I guess I was right.
Love it. My pet peeve – not supporting a long lens. Tough to break old habits.
You did and said the right things. Many people are resistant to learning a new way to do something, whether cooking, driving, of holding a camera, because they would have to admit that they are doing something incorrectly. Usually I don’t inform people of a better way because my suggestions are not accepted.
It’s hard for a lot of people to accept helpful advice on things (I’ll admit being one of those people from time to time). We all need to check our egos and be willing to listen so we can learn. I’m fairly certain that if I were that photographer and you walked up to me to chat and offer shooting advice, I would listen in a heart beat and be forever grateful for that knowledge you were willing to share.
Jason, I appreciate your comment. Vanelli has privately apologized to me for his behavior and even offered me a free pass to Photoshop World to make up for it. We’re all good.
Doug, I’m glad you brought it to my attention. I’m sure we will meet up again.
By the way… Great job on Richie’s photo and great Headline http://jdoughall.com/hot-guys/
Thanks. Next time you’re in Atlanta let me know and I’ll buy you some sweet tea. 🙂
Why does Vanelli apologize for politely trying to help someone?
Robert, in this case I felt I was in the wrong.
Great article! Any suggestions when holding the camera vertically?
Same way but make sure your right hand in high. If you have a vertical grip on your camera it’s easier.
I’ve never understood why people would put their hand over the lens instead of under. Seems so unintuitive.
My other pet peeve is people shooting with their left eye haha.
Ha.. I shoot left eye as does Joe McNally. I never realized why until a buddy said I’m left eye dominate. It feels natural for me. I try right eye when shooting sports but in the end my left eye wins.
I shoot with my left eye as well.
Some will not get the analogy, but I always advise new photographers to hold a camera like a rifle. You would never hold a rifle with your hand over the barrel. You support from underneath. Treat a camera (particularly one with a long lens) the same way. Support from underneath.
G Heaton : Funny you say that. Some of my military buddies had the AHA Moment and said this is like holding a rifle.
I was actually just going to say the same thing.. there’s actually quite a few similarities and tricks that I use in my photography that I learned on the rifle range.
I’ve offered the same advice, unsolicited, many times. Unlike Vanelli, I often lack tack.
Great post Vanelli. I love the approach you took this person … “Here is a different way” not “Here is the right way”.
Stealing it. 😀
Doug I have to admit, I hear Bill “Superfoot” Wallace say that when he taught a kicking seminar. Someone at the seminar said well I kick this way and the world greatest kicker Supferfoot said that’s good, Here is a different way, try and see if you like it. I almost died, I thought wow what tack. That was 20 years ago and I’ve been using it since.
I hold my camera correctly, but apparently not correctly enough. The elbow tuck and strap wrap are genius. Improved shots here I come!
Make sure you share the images with us. 🙂
What might be right for you may be wrong for another as far as holding a camera. I don’t look like I have any problems to lots of people, but my ability to hold a camera is one. I don’t hold it the “right way” because I cannot. So, before you start making judgement calls, why not think a minute before offering your “helpful” advice. IMO it is none of your business. However, “helpful” people tell me how to do things “right” at the gym, at work, and lots of other places. I move like a normal person, but I cannot hold like a normal person.
Please don’t take offense to the article. I have friends with disabilities that hold the camera the way they have to so it’s right for them. In the article I point out how I had a conversation with the person. If you and I had the same conversation, I would know that’s the only way you can hold a camera. The advice is still valid, keep the camera solid the best you can.
Taking it one step deeper, the article really talks about being open minded to listen what others say. That doesn’t mean you have to apply what they say, just listen and see what they have to offer. You do that at the gym.
On a side note, how do you hold your camera with your ability? Please share it so if others are in the same position you can help them.
I didn’t take offense to the article itself, but its lack of consideration for people who are different.
There was nothing that mentioned any thought of thinking that people might hold the camera differently **because of the need to do so**, and having the courtesy to observe before being self-righteous (which many people are) about how correct they are and how wrong the other person is.
I am not saying *you* are self-righteous, but you certainly got some rather self-righteous people who responded to the article.
As far as how I hold the camera, I hold it knowing what I can and cannot do, how tired I am, how much weight I am carrying, how secure I am, and how secure the camera and lens are. Time of exposure is also taken into consideration. So, one given position is not a “fits everything” answer.
Thanks for your reply to my comment.
A buddy of mine swapped out his heavy Nikon gear for a much lighter micro 2/3 camera. At first I thought he would regret it, but his photos are still amazing plus he shooting more. When I asked why the sudden increase in his shoots, he said he doesn’t tire out as easily.
Glad to see you keep shooting even when it’s difficult. Post some shots on the Photofocus Facebook page and tag me so I can see… -vanelli
thanks again for your input
I copped this last weekend. I’m not the worlds best photographer, well very much an ameteur. The walk leader was beside me and I’d taken a candid shot which was a little on the rude side. I showed him and said this one might not be suitable, for public display. His only comment, it’s a bit soft. It was, that wasn’t what the shot was about. After that I walked off and left the photo walk. I’ll never go on another photo walk lead by a ‘professional’ photographer again. Why are so many so frightened of helping us improve. Are they scared we might be better than they are, or they are very insecure of the own ability.
I’ve had some wonderful professional teachers. Syl Arena and Zack Arias are not only great instructors, they are kind and human. But the best advice I have gotten is to study the masters. Many of their frames are soft. It’s not the technique. It’s the art.
Trevor.. don’t give up on searching for people to help. For everyone 1 rude pro there are many more helpful ones. I’ve been actively teaching the martial arts since 1981. I’ve seen similarities between new black belts and pro photographers. Most black belts, like beginning pros (or photo walk leaders), go through a phase where they think they have to have all the answers. As maturity sets in, they realized they are still a practicing Martial Artist or practicing Photographer. They become humble and helpful.
I wrote an article on How to Deal with a Rude Photographer: https://photofocus.com/2014/08/28/rudephotographer/
Search camera clubs in your area, find a good mentor and join online photo groups. Photofocus has a Facebook group. Upload a few images and ask for an honest critique.
Out of curiosity, what was the candid image of?
When a person says your photo is a bit soft, the reply could be “How can I make it sharper?” You may not want this photo to be sharper, but the gained information could help on future photos where sharpness is desired. Photo walks are opportunities to ask questions.
great advice, you gain a few hidden nuggets by asking even if it wasn’t for the image you were requiring about.
Thanks guys appreciate your kind words of encouragement.
Great discussion. I think most of us are sensitive to unsolicited advice, especially men (me), just read “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” and there is a reason this has historically been a high sale book. There are differences in how advice is received. That said, I work in education and I love sharing things I learn and love hearing from others who have passion. We can learn so much from each other. I keep thinking, I wonder if I carry my camera properly or do I get into the moment and forget. I don’t put myself in front of the camera to know what I do… Is this the reason my arms feel like they are going to fall off the day after shooting at say, Commencement? I think that is mostly just infrequency of heavy lifting. I know with kayaking, just using a pushing technique instead of pulling you have far less fatigue and better control. In photography I do know I don’t dig my elbow into my chest as I should, I simply don’t have the physical flexibility to. I try to get additional points of contact using my head, arm, and occasionally strap tension and controlling my breathing. Back to kayaking, I was once kayaking on the Colorado River with a group, Ironically I was one of the strongest paddlers in the group, I am not athletic by any means. One of the instructors had said, your technique is exactly the opposite from how we instruct our students, he made me aware and still he said, but don’t feel you have to change your method as it obviously working fine for you. Apparently my dyslexia got the technique reversed. I am so glad he said something as I mixed up my technique from then on. He planted a seed for thought. Some seeds grow, others die from drought. Thanks for opening our minds to listen to advice, don’t take it to heart when it is rejected or painful to hear.
In the “olden times” we were taught to hold the camera lens with our left hand under the lens and our fingers on the barrel of the lens and on the aperture ring. Reasons for this: manual focus and manual aperture ring. Those reasons are mostly gone, but giving the camera the best support you can, whether 1/4000 second shutter speed or not, is still the best idea. Always be willing to learn, it’s stupid not to!