using shutter without pressing on camera

i remember reading somewhere in passing that advanced users use a technique of activating the shutter by sliding their finger over the button, or something along those lines. my hands arent that steady, and i feel that when i press the shutter, i push down on the body, which introduces some shake/minute blur

any advice on where to read about this, or did i imagine it?

Buy a remote shutter release, wired or wireless...they aren't much money.

I do what Chauncy does - you can also use the self timer on the camera.

I'd suggest a light monopod to help out.

i dont use a mono- or a tri-pod, and prefer to travel light, so thats out of the question for me. i assume that to use a remote shutter, id need to have the camera on a pod, since i cant use both hands to zoom/focus/compose/sup​port the camera and press the remote at the same time without moving the camera anyway.

i like the 2sec timer idea, but sometimes the subject will think you took a pic, and start moving.

ill try to google what im talking about in OP, and post it here. im not cwaaazy, i swear

ekinnyc wrote in post #12333315
i dont use a mono- or a tri-pod, and prefer to travel light, so thats out of the question for me. i assume that to use a remote shutter, id need to have the camera on a pod, since i cant use both hands to zoom/focus/compose/sup​port the camera and press the remote at the same time without moving the camera anyway.

i like the 2sec timer idea, but sometimes the subject will think you took a pic, and start moving.

ill try to google what im talking about in OP, and post it here. im not cwaaazy, i swear

Well then, since the concern in your OP was about camera shake, and you have no intention of using any of the possible fixes, I guess camera shake will continue to be an issue for you.

I'm dying to hear how you can push the button without touching it.

Some of the P&S cameras - and I realize yours is not one of them - have a small remote control. This requires the camera to be placed on a wall, pedestal or fence since you won't use one of those small tripods. Other than that I really cannot think of the device you mention.

Curious... Increase shutter speed to "compensate" for the shake?

ekinnyc wrote in post #12329633
i remember reading somewhere in passing that advanced users use a technique of activating the shutter by sliding their finger over the button, or something along those lines. my hands arent that steady, and i feel that when i press the shutter, i push down on the body, which introduces some shake/minute blur

any advice on where to read about this, or did i imagine it?

Were "they" talking about rolling your finger onto the shutter button and not "Stabbing" or "Jabbing" at it.

Over eager photographers have a habit of mashing down on the shutter button so hard that they actually cause the camera to tilt or twist which can throw off your framing (makes you tilt up) and/or your horizons (images run downhill from left to right.)

One trick is to not completely raise your finger off the button. Keeping light contact lets you know your finger is in the right place so you don't have to hunt for the shutter button. Having to hunt for it can cause the "Aha!" moment and induce the afore mentioned button mashing.

Think of it as a trigger on a gun (I'm not a gun person at all, this is just a metaphor) - you don't want to pull the trigger, you want to squeeze it. Same thing here - don't "push" the button, squeeze it. In other words, think smooth, not sharp. I think you just need to practice this. Maybe intentionally shoot with somewhat longer exposures than normal, to accentuate the need to be steady and smooth. Work on the way you're holding the camera.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #12334325
Were "they" talking about rolling your finger onto the shutter button and not "Stabbing" or "Jabbing" at it.

Over eager photographers have a habit of mashing down on the shutter button so hard that they actually cause the camera to tilt or twist which can throw off your framing (makes you tilt up) and/or your horizons (images run downhill from left to right.)

One trick is to not completely raise your finger off the button. Keeping light contact lets you know your finger is in the right place so you don't have to hunt for the shutter button. Having to hunt for it can cause the "Aha!" moment and induce the afore mentioned button mashing.

yes, rolling, thats what it was. thanks.

@ gonzo... you heard it here. telepathy.
@ rral.... clearly, those 2 werent the ONLY fixes, but thanks for the observation