How to keep camera still on top-down shots

[Waynel333]

Hi all,

Im a super newb when it comes to taking macro shots. How do you guys keep your camera still when taking top-down shots? No matter how hard I try, my pics come out a little blurry because of camera movement. I saw there are some 90 degree camera mounts...is that a good option?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MatosZoas]

I think that is probably your best option for now. But with a lot practice you will probably end up using your camera handheld. Trust me practice makes a difference and you will get better at it in time. And with digital photog. you can practice all you want.

 

[Joe Knows Reefs]

I'm wondering the same thing... How do people get such nice, crisp, clear macro shots being handheld on top downs?

 

[returnofsid]

Depending on which tank I'm photographing, I either use a step stool, or not, to get above the tank. Then I try to brace myself on the top rim of the tank, or against the step stool, to make sure I'm steady. With enough light, you can use a fairly fast shutter speed, which will cut down on blur, caused by camera movement. Also, if you have a lens with IS (Image Stabilization), this will help.

The biggest issue, when taking Macro shots, top down or otherwise, is the narrow field of focus. With a Canon 100mm Macro, especially if shooting with a wide open aperture, the field of focus is tiny! If you're moving at all, the field of focus is moving with you. Closing the aperture, some, will help give you a wider field of focus, to a certain extent. To compensate for the lower available light, from the stopped down aperture, you can shoot with a higher ISO. Typically, decent consumer DSLR cameras will allow you to shoot at an ISO of 800, without any noticeable "noise." With the prosumer DSLRs, such as the Canon 7D (my camera of choice) or the Nikon D3100, etc., you can shoot with a much higher ISO, without noticeable "noise." This allows you to close down your aperture, speed up your shutter, quite a bit, while still having available light.