What do you think?

[Nomanizan]

First whipping post, post... :)

This shot was hand held and one of my favorites.

http://robarmstrongphotography.smugmug.com/photos/200857601-L.jpg

EXIF (http://robarmstrongphotography.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=200857601)

[Gary Glass]

You handheld a 1/4" exposure?

I'm afraid the photo isn't very engaging. Thematically what it suggests to me is some form of spying: private detective, paparazzi, woman waiting for her cheating husband, sniper hit, something like that. I mean why are we standing in somebody's garden peering round the corner of a house at a nondescript tavern door?

If that's the story you're going for, you could do more to bring that out. For example, people. I get the feeling the flowers were left in frame to give you room for that watermark.

Technically it could use more dynamic range. It's a night shot without a black point.

[Nomanizan]

Never thought of this pic that way. hehe. I can see how one would interpret it that way.

I was walking to the corner of the street. The view of the Tavern framed by the bushes below, the tree on the right and the corner of the restaurant on left struck. I liked how the light of the tavern shined on, and in front of, the Tavern. Didn't intentionally leave room for watermark.

Thanks for your input! :thumb :thumb

[ccpickre]

Gary, 1/4 of a second isn't that hard. I do it all the time when photographing drummers or bands. I've even pulled off a few 1/2 second handhelds at night. ONCE I got a full second with little blur :)

I like it, it would make a good secondary photo in a paper, definitely not a dominant, but a good additional photo.

[Gary Glass]

Gary, 1/4 of a second isn't that hard.

Not with an IS lens.

[ccpickre]

Not with an IS lens.
True. Which reminds me, I need to get one of those. It could come in handy.

[Icebear]

[quote=ccpickre]Gary, 1/4 of a second isn't that hard. I do it all the time when photographing drummers or bands. I've even pulled off a few 1/2 second handhelds at night. quote]

You are one super steady dude. :bow

[ccpickre]

That's nothing. I think I pulled off a 2 second one tonight :)

There's no trick to it. Keep the elbows tucked tight. Keep the camera as light as possible (no flash, small lens, etc). I've tried the holding my breath trick, but I don't like it.

One trick I use that seems to increase your chances is using burst mode. That first press causes shake (common knowledge), but since you're already holding down the button for the second, third and so on, there's no shake. It's not going to revolutionize the handhld technique, but it does help.

And of course I utilize anything I can to hold myself up. Leaning against walls and poles, etc.

And practice :) I try to force myself to do it repeatedly.

And of course, in the end, it's mostly luck.


CORRECTION: I just looked at the photo. When you zoom in you can see a little blur, that with the horrible lighting doesn' thelp. But when not zoomed in, only probably a REALLY good eye would notice the blur :) So I'm happy.

[Gary Glass]

I must have a really good eye. To me it is obviously unsharp. The rule of thumb is that you can't handhold anything faster than the inverse of your lens length: 50mm = 1/50th sec. Which doesn't work for me at all. My rule of thumb is, "times 10". I must be very shaky!

[ccpickre]

I must have a really good eye. To me it is obviously unsharp. The rule of thumb is that you can't handhold anything faster than the inverse of your lens length: 50mm = 1/50th sec. Which doesn't work for me at all. My rule of thumb is, "times 10". I must be very shaky!
Like I said, a lot of it is just luck. I've had some at 1/30 that are ridiculously blurry, I've had some at 1/10 that came out pretty decent.

[Felicia]

I've found a way to steady the camera when shooting. It's the called the "Sniper" technique because I copied it from a SWAT Sniper friend of mine. You take in a deep breath, hold it for a count or two then press the trigger as you're breathing out.