| Using a telephoto lens to get in close to the | | | | anywhere. |
| action or sneak up on a subject from a | | | | |
| discreet distance is terrifically exciting, | | | | It won't allow you to set shutter speeds as |
| and can yield great pictures. But the high | | | | slow as you can get away with using a tripod. |
| magnification of long tele and zoom lenses | | | | But it will let you shoot safely-that is, |
| accentuates the effects of camera shake | | | | without a serous risk of image-softening |
| caused by your inability to hold the camera | | | | shake-at speeds two or three steps slower |
| and lens absolutely still. The effects of | | | | than you'd have to use if you were shooting |
| wind, moving or shaking floors, residual | | | | handheld. That may make it possible to shoot |
| vibration from camera mirrors flipping up | | | | in lower light, and/or to use a slower, |
| just prior to exposure, atmospheric haze, and | | | | finer-grained film. |
| heat waves can also add problems. | | | | |
| | | | Get a monopod that can be raised to your eye |
| Cold, tired, been drinking stimulants | | | | level, is quick and easy to set up. If you |
| (coffee, tea, or cola)? They add to your | | | | shoot a lot of verticals, you may want to add |
| problems. Avoid them all if you can and don't | | | | a good swivel ball head for maneuverability. |
| despair. | | | | |
| | | | A tripod is the best device for insuring |
| When handholding your camera and lens, start | | | | minimal effects from vibration with a long |
| with a fast film, ISO 400 or higher. This | | | | tele or zoom lens. With a sturdy one, you can |
| will allow you to use higher shutter speeds | | | | use slower shutter speeds and lower |
| (1/1000 sec and above) and minimize the | | | | ISO-higher resolution films. If you own a |
| effects of shake in a variety of lighting | | | | shaky tripod, tie a three to five pound |
| conditions. Use the proper stance: arms | | | | weight to the center column for added |
| closely tucked into the body, elbows | | | | stability. |
| partially supported by the chest or abdomen, | | | | |
| lens and camera balanced by the left hand and | | | | Physically long teles should have |
| arm. | | | | tripod-mounting collars to attach the lens at |
| | | | the proper fulcrum to the tripod rather than |
| Practice supporting and focusing the camera | | | | the camera. You can also use a secondary |
| with your left hand, aim the camera slightly | | | | support for the camera like Bogen's Long Lens |
| above the subject, take a deep breath, let | | | | Support. This telescoping brace attaches to |
| the view drop to the proper composition while | | | | most tripod legs via a universal clamp at one |
| exhaling, and gently press the shutter. | | | | end and a swivel ball head for the camera at |
| | | | the other. The brace makes it more difficult |
| For support, find a fence post, parked car, | | | | to change camera position, but it |
| or folded jacket. Lean on it or rest your | | | | considerably lessens the effects of |
| camera on top of it while shooting. If you | | | | vibration. |
| have such a support, a 1/30 second exposure | | | | |
| isn't an impossibility, even with a 500mm | | | | If you're on shaky ground, tripods won't |
| lens. You'll be using slower shutter speeds | | | | help. They'll actually transmit the motion |
| more often than you'd like. The minimum | | | | right to the lens and camera. It's better to |
| shutter speed rule of thumb for hand-holding | | | | handhold the camera if you can set a |
| a long tele or zoom lens is this: Slowest | | | | reasonable shutter speed, and let your body |
| safe shutter speed = 1 over the lens focal | | | | damp the vibration. |
| length. | | | | |
| | | | Atmospheric haze and heat waves can't always |
| For example, if you're shooting with a 500mm | | | | be eliminated, but using a haze or polarizing |
| f/4 lens, the limiting shutter speed for a | | | | filter can help cut through the haze and |
| handheld shot would be 1 /500 second at the | | | | increase color saturation and contrast. Also, |
| correct aperture for a good exposure. This | | | | use your lens hood, or shade the lens, to |
| rule applies to a properly-braced | | | | minimize the possibility of flare. |
| photographer standing on solid ground. | | | | |
| | | | Few techniques in photography require more |
| Chest braces, rifle stocks, and similar | | | | expertise and skill than the successful use |
| devices aren't as practical as a lightweight | | | | of a long tele or zoom lens. If you want to |
| monopod or tripod. A monopod is easy to | | | | become more proficient, practice, practice, |
| carry, and you can set it up just about | | | | practice! |