Category: Photography Basics > 3. Exposure & Camera Settings Article ID: 3.12 Created: May 2026

Key Points in Brief

• Camera shake occurs due to camera movement during exposure – the longer the exposure time and the longer the focal length, the higher the risk
• Rule of thumb: Minimum shutter speed = 1/focal length (in seconds) – for 200 mm, at least 1/200 s
• Using an image stabilizer, tripod, remote release, and proper body posture reliably prevents camera shake

Explanation

Why Do Photos Get Blurry from Camera Shake?

Camera shake happens when the camera moves during exposure—whether due to muscle tremors, breathing, heartbeat, or external factors. The result is a blurry-looking image that is difficult to fix in post-processing.

Two factors determine the risk of camera shake:

• Shutter speed: The longer it is, the more room there is for movement
• Focal length: The longer the focal length, the more visible any camera movement becomes in the image

The 1/Focal Length Rule of Thumb

A guideline for shake-free handheld shots is:

Minimum shutter speed = 1 / focal length (35mm equivalent)

If the camera is held with outstretched arms instead of at the eye, you should use a shutter speed two to three stops faster.

Body Posture – The Underestimated Factor

• Camera at the eye/viewfinder: Arms close to the body, elbows supported if possible → most stable handheld position
• Camera in front of the body (monitor): Increased risk due to the long lever arms of outstretched arms → support arms or choose faster shutter speeds
• Leaning: Lean your back or shoulder against a wall, pillar, or railing to significantly reduce movement
• Breathing: Hold your breath briefly when releasing the shutter or shoot between breaths
• Camera strap: Tighten the strap around your neck and apply slight tension for extra stability

Image Stabilizer (IS / OIS / VR)

Many cameras and lenses have a built-in image stabilizer (depending on the manufacturer: IS, OIS, VR, OSS, IBIS). It compensates for slight camera movements electronically or optically.

Rule of thumb with image stabilizer: You can use shutter speeds 2–4 stops slower than without – for a 100 mm lens, instead of 1/100 s, about 1/15–1/25 s.

When to disable the image stabilizer:

• When shooting on a tripod (the stabilizer can cause its own micro-movements)
• When doing panning shots (tracking a moving subject)

Tools to Prevent Camera Shake

Tripod (three-legged)

• The safest method for long exposures
• Stable on firm ground; in windy conditions, watch out for ground-level disturbances
• Heavy camera + long lens: requires a more robust tripod

Monopod

• Less stable than a tripod but more compact and quicker to deploy
• Good for sports and event photography in crowds
• Not suitable for very long exposures

Self-timer / Remote Release

• Even pressing the shutter button can cause small vibrations during long exposures on a tripod
• 2-second self-timer or electronic remote release prevents this
• For DSLRs: activate mirror lock-up (MLU) so mirror vibrations subside before exposure starts

Special Cases

Macro Photography: Even the smallest movements shift the focus point. Tripod + remote release + Live View magnification are almost mandatory here.

Windy Conditions: Even a tripod can sway in the wind. A stable surface (wall, table, ground) is often safer. Hanging a camera bag under the tripod head as weight can help.

Practical Tip

The most common camera shake mistake by beginners: holding the camera with outstretched arms in front of the body and shooting at 1/30 s. Solution: either support your arms, increase ISO to shorten the shutter speed, or switch to the viewfinder and stabilize the camera against your body. The 1/focal length rule only applies when the camera is held at the eye—not with outstretched arms.