Pressing the shutter.

[dehk]

I hold my breath when its slower than 1/30!

[MikeTime]

I think the operative term is "press the shutter, not the camera"

[benjiboy]

I would encourage your students to press the shutter release, not the "shutter", it will damage it

[Peltigera]

I would encourage your students to press the shutter release, not the "shutter", it will damage it

+1

[E. von Hoegh]

Rubberband or tape a laser pointer to the camera, this when pointed at a wall a few yards away will show you if you are jiggling the camera as you press the shutter release.

[Poisson Du Jour]

Use a cable release!

[Diapositivo]

Holding breath can actually, even if it is not noticed, cause a general tensioning of all the body.
My strategy is: begin expiring. While expiring, stop a moment, take picture, go on expiring. The movement of the finger on the shutter release is like a "continuation" of the expiration movement.

[PentaxBronica]

Does anyone else find it harder to gauge the tripping point with some electronic shutter releases?

I assume that most of them have two push switches. The first wakes the meter up then the second trips the shutter. I usually end up gradually increasing pressure while hoping that I stop after hitting the first but before the second! Worst offenders seem to be motor winders - the three I have (Winder ME, ME II and MX) have no "feel" for the point where activating the meter turns to triggering the shutter.

The older designs with a mechanical linkage have a far more noticeable "step" when you hit the meter activation point in their travel. The button on the ME body is a better shutter release, but I like using the winder for the extra grip it brings.

[MikeTime]

That's very clever. You're addressing the OP?

[cliveh]

Does anyone else find it harder to gauge the tripping point with some electronic shutter releases?

I assume that most of them have two push switches. The first wakes the meter up then the second trips the shutter. I usually end up gradually increasing pressure while hoping that I stop after hitting the first but before the second! Worst offenders seem to be motor winders - the three I have (Winder ME, ME II and MX) have no "feel" for the point where activating the meter turns to triggering the shutter.

The older designs with a mechanical linkage have a far more noticeable "step" when you hit the meter activation point in their travel. The button on the ME body is a better shutter release, but I like using the winder for the extra grip it brings.

Don't get me started, as with some digital cameras there is almost a second delay in pressing and taking.