Which method when holding camera in portrait orientation without grip?

I was just reading through a Canon manual and came across the section that describes how one should hold the camera when shooting in portrait orientation with a non-1D body without a battery grip. The illustration of the proper method shows the grip side of the camera at the top, which generally results in the "chicken wing" look. I checked a Nikon manual and the suggested method is the same. I consider this stance unstable so I instead keep the grip side down and tuck both my elbows into my torso.

But what struck me as really odd was that the image showed the photographer using their right eye to look through the viewfinder. I use my left and don't feel as comfortable using my right - even if it's just for portrait-oriented shots. So as a result, if I were to use the method shown in the manual but with my left eye looking through the viewfinder, the camera would obstruct the other side of my face which I don't like.

In any case, I was wondering if anyone shoots like the illustration in the manual or like I do.

I shoot the way the manual says. I have an older SLR user's manual (not sure of the brand/model), bur it shows both ways, and even a 3rd for shooting portrait (can't remember the 3rd, it was odd). The way you shoot, the old manual says would be preferred for left eye dominant shooters, so it makes perfect sense that you shoot that way.

Even with a grip, I tend to do the pose, it comes from shooting sans grip in my film days.

I used to shoot portrait without a grip in the clockwise rotation method. You can tuck in your elbow and support the camera like almost like shooting a rifle off hand (switched hands though) but it offers far more support, and you don't get that ckicken wing.

for film this was fine, and in fact, back in the film days, most experienced shooters I knew, Nikon and Canon, did it this way. Portrait grips were essentially non existent then. (they were speed winders on certain cameras )

...but for digital, it can create some issues, as many file viewers can't cope with that orientation automatically.

Over the last few years my default has switched to what the manuals say. Chicken wing and all.

If shooting without a grip, I put the shutter button to the top....I also use my right eye. The camera should be mainly supported and stabilized by the left hand (no matter the orientation) leaving the right hand available to operate the shutter release.....or whatever else you may need to do. The right hand should have very little play when it comes to stabilizing the camera. That said, there's really no right or wrong if you're getting the shot you want.

I just tried holding it with the right side of the camera down. It made working the controls really awkward.

I was always a right hand on top guy back in the day.

Kinda the same boat with Jake. I learned to shoot on film in the early 80s and was always taught to tuck your elbows in to support the camera better. Back then, we didn't have vertical grips or fancy dials on the back of the camera (I shot Nikon back then). In fact, when shooting with manual focus lenses, you almost had to tuck your elbow in because otherwise, nothing was holding the camera - your left hand would turn the focus ring and your right would hold the camera body stable. When the AF was introduced, it freed up one hand for a little while until zoom lenses became more popular, then the free hand was used to turn the zoom ring.

When I got my F5 in the late 90s, I had the built-in vertical grip and no longer had to tuck my elbow. However, when digital started and I dropped the vertical grip due to bulk and weight, I found that the tucked elbow method wasn't working for me because of the rear dials and buttons on the camera back (I started shooting Canon when I switched to digital). I'm not sure if I have some short tendons or ligaments in my wrist or carpel tunnel, but it's very uncomfortable to turn the main dial on my 5D3 in portrait orientation with my elbow tucked in. I can do it, but it's just not comfortable. So I started sporting the chicken wing and it works much better. I try to drop my elbow and hide it as much as possible, but the chicken wing is still there.

I have a vertical grip for my 5D3, but I just don't use it. It's too heavy and bulky. I'd rather carry an extra lens than carry the grip.

i've never thought about it, so i just went and tried it the opposite way (i'm right-eye dominant, so i do the chicken-wing stance). with my left hand on top, it was completely completely awkward. and i did the chicken-wing thing with my left elbow instead of my right. guess i won't be changing.

When I was without a grip I put the right side of the camera down. It's rather awkward looking, but for me it felt like I had a little extra stabilization. Plus my right arm didn't get tired if I was holding it up there for a long time

I do it both ways. The ratio is about 70% with the shutter button on top and 30% with it below. I am often in cramped, awkward positions when handheld (such as crouched down in a small blind on a steep embankment), so I have to shoot whichever way works for the position my body is in at the time.

Most of the time I shoot handheld I am lying prone on the ground, so the camera is properly supported no matter which direction I rotate it in:

- if shooting with the shutter button on top, my right hand is used to fire the shutter, and my left elbow is firmly planted on the ground with my left hand on the bottom of the camera supporting it.

- if shooting with the shutter button on bottom, I still use my right hand to fire the shutter button, but have my right elbow on the ground for support and stability.

KirkS518 wrote in post #15860702
I shoot the way the manual says. I have an older SLR user's manual (not sure of the brand/model), bur it shows both ways, and even a 3rd for shooting portrait (can't remember the 3rd, it was odd). The way you shoot, the old manual says would be preferred for left eye dominant shooters, so it makes perfect sense that you shoot that way.

Even with a grip, I tend to do the pose, it comes from shooting sans grip in my film days.

Really! My dad's T70 manual shows just the one stance.

So you have the portrait grip and don't use it or did I misunderstand?

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #15860829
I used to shoot portrait without a grip in the clockwise rotation method. You can tuck in your elbow and support the camera like almost like shooting a rifle off hand (switched hands though) but it offers far more support, and you don't get that ckicken wing.

for film this was fine, and in fact, back in the film days, most experienced shooters I knew, Nikon and Canon, did it this way. Portrait grips were essentially non existent then. (they were speed winders on certain cameras )

...but for digital, it can create some issues, as many file viewers can't cope with that orientation automatically.

Over the last few years my default has switched to what the manuals say. Chicken wing and all.

Hmm, maybe i'll try it. I can always flap the chicken wing to make kids smile in photos.

jra wrote in post #15860846
If shooting without a grip, I put the shutter button to the top....I also use my right eye. The camera should be mainly supported and stabilized by the left hand (no matter the orientation) leaving the right hand available to operate the shutter release.....or whatever else you may need to do. The right hand should have very little play when it comes to stabilizing the camera. That said, there's really no right or wrong if you're getting the shot you want.

With a heavy lens, I find that I can't hold it properly with my left. My right is much stronger and stable. So you use both left and right eyes?

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #15860874
I was always a right hand on top guy back in the day.

And now? I'm guessing that you use mostly landscape orientation.

lehmanncpa wrote in post #15860894
Kinda the same boat with Jake. I learned to shoot on film in the early 80s and was always taught to tuck your elbows in to support the camera better. Back then, we didn't have vertical grips or fancy dials on the back of the camera (I shot Nikon back then). In fact, when shooting with manual focus lenses, you almost had to tuck your elbow in because otherwise, nothing was holding the camera - your left hand would turn the focus ring and your right would hold the camera body stable. When the AF was introduced, it freed up one hand for a little while until zoom lenses became more popular, then the free hand was used to turn the zoom ring.

When I got my F5 in the late 90s, I had the built-in vertical grip and no longer had to tuck my elbow. However, when digital started and I dropped the vertical grip due to bulk and weight, I found that the tucked elbow method wasn't working for me because of the rear dials and buttons on the camera back (I started shooting Canon when I switched to digital). I'm not sure if I have some short tendons or ligaments in my wrist or carpel tunnel, but it's very uncomfortable to turn the main dial on my 5D3 in portrait orientation with my elbow tucked in. I can do it, but it's just not comfortable. So I started sporting the chicken wing and it works much better. I try to drop my elbow and hide it as much as possible, but the chicken wing is still there.

I have a vertical grip for my 5D3, but I just don't use it. It's too heavy and bulky. I'd rather carry an extra lens than carry the grip.

I'm on the fence about getting a grip for the 5D3, not just because of the size/weight, but because it would require that I remove my hand from the hand strap.

shutter button down so I can use the 430exII, which is limited to 270 degrees rotation, guess which way the 90 degrees wont work?

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15861816
I do it both ways. The ratio is about 70% with the shutter button on top and 30% with it below. I am often in cramped, awkward positions when handheld (such as crouched down in a small blind on a steep embankment), so I have to shoot whichever way works for the position my body is in at the time.

Most of the time I shoot handheld I am lying prone on the ground, so the camera is properly supported no matter which direction I rotate it in:

- if shooting with the shutter button on top, my right hand is used to fire the shutter, and my left elbow is firmly planted on the ground with my left hand on the bottom of the camera supporting it.

- if shooting with the shutter button on bottom, I still use my right hand to fire the shutter button, but have my right elbow on the ground for support and stability.

I haven't considered shooting vertical in a prone position. If you want to switch between portrait and landscape while in prone, it might make sense to have the shutter on top since one hand is more or less pinned by the ground, huh?

frugivore wrote in post #15862259
I haven't considered shooting vertical in a prone position. If you want to switch between portrait and landscape while in prone, it might make sense to have the shutter on top since one hand is more or less pinned by the ground, huh?

Not necessarily. There is often grass or brush, so the camera needs to be off the round a bit. Therefore, while lying prone I am often holding the camera anywhere from 6" to 16" off the ground.

If it's only 6" off the ground, then yes, I need to have the shutter on top. But if it's more like 12" or 14", then if the right elbow is on the ground, the right hand can easily operate the shutter and other controls when the shutter button is on the bottom.

Each situation - each moment, even - is unique from all others, and each calls for a slightly different technique and/or position.