and use it as a supporting shelf. Your ring and middle fingers grip and hold the camera, while your index finger works the top controls. Your thumb provides support at times, but also works controls on the back of the camera. Your left hand provides support but also operates controls on that side of the camera and the lens.
FIGURE 2-9: Me, holding the camera normally.
When you're ready to take the photos, support the weight of the lens with your left palm. At times, you may be more comfortable supporting the entire weight of the camera with your left hand so that you can remove your right hand from the grip and work various dials, buttons, and controls. When you're ready to take the picture, move your right hand back into position on the grip to press the shutter button.
To promote good posture and add some stability, lock down your left elbow against your stomach. Look through the viewfinder or watch the LCD screen to frame and focus.
Vertical grip
Your hands and fingers stay in the same place, but you twist the camera vertically. If I’m using autofocus and not zooming in and out, I use my left hand to support most of the camera’s weight (see Figure 2-10), and my right hand stabilizes the camera vertically and takes the picture. My right elbow is extended in this pose. If you are in a tight space or around other people, you should pull it in close to your body to avoid bumping into them. Your right wrist will cramp a bit, but if you practice at it you’ll be fine.
FIGURE 2-10: Vertical grip.
Over-the-shoulder grip
A well-known photographer promotes a grip style where you point your left shoulder toward the subject, using it to support the weight of the camera. You hold the camera with your right hand, and your left hand comes up to rest on the back of your right hand, stabilizing and securing it. You have to turn your head a bit to face the camera. I’ve tried this technique and can’t quite seem to get comfortable with it, but it is rock-solid.
Live View grip
Gripping the camera when using Live View is a different feeling. You don't hold the camera close to your face and body like you do when you’re looking through the viewfinder. Hold the camera away from your face so you can see the LCD monitor. When zooming or focusing, move your left hand back to the lens to operate these controls. Your right hand doesn't change at all. I am checking the composition in Figure 2-11.
FIGURE 2-11: Working in Live View.
Providing Additional Support
The best way to stabilize your camera is with a good tripod. Using a support lets you set longer shutter speeds and not worry about camera movement blurring your photos. One-legged monopods offer less support but are much more mobile.
You can mount different heads on tripods and monopods. Some pan and tilt. Others are a form of ball joint. Whichever you choose (I have both), look into getting one with a quick-release plate. You screw it into the camera bottom and then lock the plate onto the tripod head. It’s far easier to latch and unlatch the quick-release plate than it is to screw and unscrew the entire camera.
Tripod
I use a tripod all the time (see Figure 2-12). It’s good for ya. When taking macros or close-ups in the studio, formal portraits, or landscape shots, nothing works better at securing and supporting the weight of the camera. Cheap tripods, however, while affordable and minimally functional, are very disappointing. You really do get what you pay for. If you want something that will be stable and last for more than two days, get a name-brand tripod from a camera shop, not a discount store.
FIGURE 2-12: Tripods provide fantastic support for cameras.
Monopod
Monopods have a single leg that telescopes in and out to the height you want to work at, as shown in Figure 2-13. Most often, you see professional photographers at sporting events using monopods. They stand, sit, or kneel on the sidelines and use the monopod to support the weight of their camera. If using bulky, heavy lenses, you need all the support you can get. You’ll mount your telephoto lens right to the monopod.
FIGURE 2-13: Monopods excel at supporting large cameras and lenses.
Handling an Articulated Monitor
Using Live View on an LCD monitor gives you the flexibility of shooting when you can't look through the viewfinder. Having an adjustable, also called articulated, LCD monitor lets you shoot from a number of otherwise impossible positions. Although the style may vary, they all swing or move up and out from the back of the camera so you can position them. You can get down low, hold the camera up high, or even point it around a corner. Using an articulated monitor isn’t difficult. Your main concerns should be:
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