Sharper photos - every time

One of the most obvious steps in taking a photo is to press the shutter button.
But did you know that this obvious moment is also often done incorrectly and often results in blurred images?
Too often, I see how, especially beginners, basically strikes their finger on the trigger button and, of course, does not get a picture with the highest possible quality.

Thanks to image stabilization and access to high ISO settings, it has made handheld shooting in low light managable. But even if this help is available, it is important to understand the value of right trigger button pressing technique to achieve the sharpest result.

So an important step to improve your photography is perfecting your triggering technique. It may seem silly that such a simple thing as pressing a button requires exercise, but doing this wrong can jeopardize the photo results.

The problem that occurs in the case of improper button pressing technique is motion blur. The human factor involved in the press of a button often moves the camera while exposure is in progress. This results in a blurred image. To avoid this, attempt to keep a relatively fast shutter speed. All settings from 1/125 or higher should keep the image unaffected by the pressure from your finger. But sometimes you can not use such a fast shutter speed and then the option is to put the camera on a tripod.

On digital cameras there is an intermediate level in the trigger. If you press the shutter button halfway, the camera will perform some functions depending on the setting. When using automatic settings, the camera will adjust the autofocus and set it to what it think it should be. You can preview this setting through the viewfinder and you can determine that the camera's calculation is incorrect and choose not to take the image.
Press the shutter button halfway down and the camera should focus the object. As long as you do not raise your finger, the camera should not change the focus set until you completely press the button to take your photo.

Shutter pressing technique

No matter how stable you hold or mount your camera, the shutter pressing can cause a movement. But there are a number of techniques that can reduce this. As a routine, learn using rolling trigger technology, roll your finger over the button instead of pushing it down. This may seem strange at first, but with practice it can make a significant difference. Start by placing your index finger just in front of and barely touching the shutter button (see figure below). Then, while holding down the pressure, roll your finger over the trigger.

Give it a try. The result should be a lot smoother without jerk or shock.
Another trick is to use the serial shooting function. Pressing, holding the shutter button and taking 2-3 images at a time increases the chances of at least one image sharper than the others.
I usually use serial shooting and, in most cases, image number one becomes most unsharp for some reason. Then I have two other pictures left to choose from.
Do not shut down while pressing the shutter button. Many are flashing their eyes in anticipation of exposure. Look through the viewfinder as long as possible. This helps to control the hand movement and stabilizes the camera. Do not worry that the mirror / shutter obscures the sight during exposure.

Believe it or not, but it's not always so obvious for a person to move his finger in any given situation. The human body is a fluid-filled device and the smallest movement can affect the entire body. There is no way to get around this more than practicing the technique as much as possible. Concentrate on your stance and strength as you move your trigger finger. Try different fingers and different arrangements with your arms to determine which position works best for you.

It is also important to know how to hold your camera in a correct way to counteract any motion blur associated during shooting.
Learn more about how to hold your
camera here http://digital-photography-school.com/cheat-sheet-how-to-hold-camera/

If you get into a situation where you can not control motion blur no matter what you do, consider pulling off without touching the camera at all. There are remote controllers available for most cameras. You can also use the timer function in the camera. Set the timer for three seconds so your camera stop moving between pressing the trigger button and the actual shooting.

Summary

Even if a shutter button press can seem like a simple task, it actually helps to use some finesse whilst pressing the button. Be attentive and focused next time you press and you will have better control over the end result. Predictive learning in advance will pay off when you find the perfect subject.