If you have a digital SLR camera, there are even more ways to make sure your camera stays steady while taking pictures.
The first is to use mirror lock-up. This limits the movement inside the camera by locking the mirror in the up position until after the picture is taken. You have to press the shutter release button twice on the cable release or remote to take a picture (you surely aren't going to all this trouble and still pressing the shutter release on your camera are you?). The first press lifts the mirror and the second press actually takes the picture.
The second method is to turn off the Vibration Reduction or Image Stabilization. Though it sounds counter productive, once a camera is stabilized with the tripod and other methods, the vibration reduction keeps looking for movement. When the camera isn't moving, vibration reduction can cause movement by looking for it. The best rule is to keep any kind of automatic vibration controls turned off when using a tripod, then turn them back on when hand-holding the camera.
One last way to increase the sharpness of your pictures is to have good glass. The lens you use makes a big difference. Quality lens are more expensive, but good glass is worth it. You get what you pay for, like most things in life. The great pictures you get will make it a great investment.
Use as many methods as you can to steady your camera, and you’ll have a much better chance of getting those lovely clear and sharp photographs.
