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[OtakuSpark]

I am on a medicine that one of the side effects is shaky hands, which ruins a lot of my photos. Besides a tripod, is there anything I can do?

[jeproxshots]

Best thing i can think of is make sure ur using the view finder and not an lcd. keep elbows if close together as you can against your chest. Hope this helps

[Ashurachan]

Use the viewfinder if your camera has one.
Shoot outside and use high shutter speed if you can (use S mode to force it).

[nathancarter]

As mentioned above, proper camera holding techniques will help you out quite a bit.
If you're using a DSLR, support the weight of the camera with your left hand at the base of the lens, with your left elbow braced against your body for stability. Use your right hand for aiming and control, never to support the full weight of the camera.

Here are some other things to try:
http://digital-photography-school.co...e-3-techniques

If all else fails, use a shutter speed that will minimize the effect of camera shake - the general rule of thumb is to use a minimum of 1/focal length (e.g. minimum of 1/200 for a 200mm lens), but you might need to double that if you're particularly shaky. A lens with good image stabilization will help a LOT. (Canon calls it IS, Sigma calls it OS, don't remember what other manufacturers call it)

[djlemma]

Nikon calls it VR (vibration reduction, I believe).

And the 1/focal length only for 35mm film, so with digital you have to use the "35mm equivalent" rating of the lens. Simple rules of thumb can get so complicated..

One of my tricks (since my camera will do it) is to put the camera into the fastest drive mode it can be, and just hold down the shutter and take several shots while trying to hold as still as I can. Usually one of the middle shots is the one with the least shake. You can also (if your camera allows) use the shutter timer function to reduce shake- since pressing the shutter button usually moves the camera button, if you put the shutter on a 2 second or 10 second delay it'll let you relax and get the shot. not as useful for shooting people, but on landscapes it works pretty well.

[TykeJack]

A monopod will probably work out great for you. It still required you to hold it, but is firmly planted in 1 point on the ground to reduce shaking. It's light, mobile, and takes up like no space. So if you want to stay mobile and snap quick pictures, then a monopod is definitely something to consider.

[CosplayJelly]

Oh hey thats a side effect of my meds too! Lol yep sucks doesnt it?

[OtakuSpark]

Originally Posted by CosplayJelly

Oh hey thats a side effect of my meds too! Lol yep sucks doesnt it?

All of my pictures look like they were taken during an earthquake! XD Stupid prozac.

[CosplayJelly]

me too. i take lexapro and wellbutrin. it makes me lose my appetite and i can go a day without eating much but a cracker. i went through otakon without eating ANYTHING but 1 half of a pocky stick from the pocky game... its kinda bad cuz i dont feel hungry and i feel like eating is repulsive sometimes. :l u've got it good with only shaky hands gurl.

[TETSUYA_CASSHER]

http://digital-photography-school.co...d-camera-shake you can use your own body to stabilize.

also use a mono pod

http://www.adorama.com/JT6002A.html?...Fcef4AodTF0ABQ

[qiancen]

having the same problem

[Indefatigable]

A monopod or small tripod will help. If it's not a heavy camera you can get a little tabletop tripod for under ten bucks.

If you just have a little point-and-shoot, get the cheap tripod, but also try taking pictures in brighter light. That'll force the camera to use shorter exposure times, which means less movement will be picked up in the picture.

If you have a DSLR, you can deliberately choose shorter exposure times, and figure out which one is the shortest you can use under given light conditions. You should be able to select the ISO. This is a relic of film days but essentially a higher ISO means greater light sensitivity. So if you use a higher ISO you can get away with shorter exposure times, which again means less shake will show up in the picture.

If you use a tripod rather than a monopod, figure out where your camera's timer setting is. Use the timer so that you can press the button and then take your hands off the camera. Then when the picture is taken you aren't even touching it. Even cheap point-and-shoots have timers, quite often. Some cameras also support remote shutter triggers; either you can get a cable that screws on to the shutter button, or it might have come with a little wireless shutter button on a remote control. Either of these can be used with a tripod to reduce or eliminate the problem of your hands touching the camera.

Good luck!

[FlashBlitzen]

flash can help. Not sure of your rig but on camera / off camera flash can freeze motion for you.
A puff of fill flash can do wonders. Sorry if this was pointed out earlier.

[blufox4900]

Couple of tricks I use. When it's really low light I tend to wrap the camera strap around my right arm till the camera's real tight on my arm. Outside of that it largely depends on what kind of camera you use. If you have a DSLR you have the option of buying a fast prime lens or a dedicated flash with a TTL cord for bounce flash photography.