There's no great secret to holding a camera, but it does take a little bit of practice to learn how to hold one for the best results. And it's a good idea to practice it, as silly as this may seem. If you're comfortable holding your camera, you'll also be comfortable operating it.

Basics of Holding Your Camera

• Put both hands around your camera. Do it in a way that feels natural to you. Watch for fingers finding their way in front of the flash or the lens on tiny cameras. Check yourself in the mirror to see where your fingers naturally fall to see if they are getting in the way.

• Press the camera to your face. Tight is good, but don't push it in so close that it's uncomfortable.

• Drop your elbows down so they're against your body. This will help you steady the camera.

• Plant your feet firmly on the ground, about shoulder-width apart or slightly less. You can shoot from other positions, but this one is the most solid.

• When shooting, take a breath, exhale fully, hold your breath, then squeeze the shutter release button smoothly.

When you're using a long zoom or telephoto lens, use your left hand to support the lens by cupping it around the lens close to the camera body. Hold the camera in your right hand so you can activate the shutter.

Small cameras are harder to hold than big cameras, and, without the inertia caused by the weight of larger cameras, they're more likely to move when you press the shutter. This can result in blurry pictures as the image captures both camera movement and the movement of your hands. The suggestions will go a long way toward helping you keep your camera steady as you're shooting. For slower shutter speeds or when you're not using a flash, make sure you brace your elbows against your body. You can also lean on a steady support to minimize movement.

Spend some time working with the various dials and buttons on your camera so you know what their functions are and how to operate them. Some will have multiple functions and submenus. Never force anything into position; doing so may damage your camera or, in the case of conventional film cameras, the film. Camera controls should work smoothly, but if yours don't, take your camera into a good shop and have it looked at. If it is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer.