| If ever you have seen a picture that is | | | | always used. Digital cameras mounted on |
| blurred, it is most probably because the | | | | tripods always tend to eliminate camera |
| camera was shaken while the picture was | | | | shakes and give sharp results. A great |
| taken. With traditional photographic film | | | | feature in most high-end digital cameras |
| cameras, it was evident only after the | | | | available nowadays is image stabilization |
| negatives and positives were made. However, | | | | (IS). IS is an anti-shake and vibration |
| with digital camera, the captured image can | | | | reduction technology and is common in digital |
| be seen immediately on the LCD screen, and if | | | | cameras with long telephoto zooms of 10X and |
| the image has shaken, then it can be | | | | 12X. With IS, sharp images can be obtained |
| discarded for a new shot. Digital camera | | | | even if the camera shakes a little, a slow |
| shakes are common with new users. This is | | | | shutter speed is used, shooting is done in |
| primarily because, new users have not fully | | | | low light conditions, or a tripod is not |
| understood that the shutter-release button | | | | used. IS was originally developed for video |
| must not be pressed twice, but pressed two | | | | cameras. It is now available in |
| steps down. The first step locks the focus | | | | interchangeable lens, consumer and |
| and exposure while the second step takes the | | | | professional digital cameras, which use |
| photo. This pressing of the button has to be | | | | optical image stabilization. Sports and |
| smooth, otherwise the digital camera shakes | | | | wildlife photographers use a tripod and IS |
| and a blurred picture is the result. The | | | | technology together to get the maximum |
| shutter speed also plays an important role in | | | | sharpness of their photographs; however, many |
| blurring the picture. The shutter speed is | | | | other photographers turn the IS feature off |
| the amount of time the shutter remains open | | | | while using a tripod. Digital camera shakes |
| to allow light to reach the digital camera | | | | can be eliminated or minimized by the |
| sensor. It is measured in seconds or | | | | utilization of the above techniques. However, |
| fractions of a second. An image is exposed by | | | | the fundamentals of taking a good shot prove |
| the combination of the lens aperture and the | | | | to be most effective in avoiding camera |
| shutter speed. A slow shutter speed needs a | | | | shakes, in the absence of tripods, or IS |
| small aperture (large F-stop number) to avoid | | | | technology. The basics of good photography |
| over exposure. With a slow shutter speed | | | | should be followed. You should hold the |
| below 1/60th of a second, over exposure is | | | | digital camera with both your hands. You |
| adequately controlled, but the digital camera | | | | should keep the legs apart with the knees |
| is likely to vibrate more, giving a shaky | | | | slightly bent forward. Your elbows should be |
| picture. A tripod is extremely useful to | | | | braced with your body and your body braced |
| eliminate digital camera shakes. It is | | | | with some support, if possible. You should |
| generally used by sports photographers who | | | | generally frame and compose the picture with |
| use long telephoto lens, as it helps in | | | | the viewfinder and not the LCD screen. You |
| close-ups, landscape and panning shots, for | | | | should not jab but lightly press the shutter |
| timed exposures, for shooting at slow shutter | | | | release button two steps down, and during |
| speeds, and for taking photographs in low or | | | | that time, it would be beneficial to hold |
| dim light conditions. Shooting a fast moving | | | | your breath to prevent any movement of the |
| subject, like athletes, or wildlife, tests | | | | chest and hands. With this basic technique of |
| the photographer`s skill and the equipment. | | | | good photography, you can be sure that your |
| In such cases, camera shakes are most likely | | | | digital camera will not shake and no picture |
| to happen, and thus a monopod or a tripod is | | | | will be blurred. |