When shooting vertically do you rotate the camera clockwise or CCW?

[mikegood2]

This may seem like a strange question but when you shoot vertically do you rotate the camera CCW (right elbow up) or CW (right elbow down)? I'm sure there probably isn't a right way but how were you taught? Back in school I was taught CCW (right elbow up) and truthfully I never thought about it until I heard someone on a photography podcast say it should be clockwise. His reasoning was that your camera was more stable because you could rest it up against your chest. At the time I thought that made since and gave it a try, but it just didn't feel right! Also either way one of your elbow is going to be up. Or maybe the solution to the problem is to always make sure your camera has a battery grip!

 

[2Tiggies]

I wasn't taught either way, but I rotate mine clockwise. I have noticed, having passed my camera to CM's at WDW to take photos that without exception, they all turn it the other way. I discovered this when I had photos in a folder on my laptop and rotated them myself and had to turn the ones taken by others in the opposite direction. Not sure why I do it. I never give/gave it any thought; it must just feel natural to me to do it the other way.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I have heard stories about which way is the proper way, but IMHO whatever is most comfortable and stable for you. The DW always goes clockwise. I have the vertical/battery grip on all my cameras so its always CCW and held in a normal position without any extended elbows. I have been using the grips so long that whenever I try going light without one it drives me crazy and I quickly put it back on!

 

[My2Girls66]

Counter clockwise for me, I never really think about it, it seems thats what comes naturally to me. Occasionally I do notice I do it clockwise, not often though. My dd on the otherhand, I noticed is a clockwise shooter. I just happened to notice the difference in which way we each shoot by which way I have to rotate them on the computer afterwards.

 

[Pixel Dust]

I have always rotated CCW. Now, I have a vertical battery grip. It just feels so nice to not have your elbow out there anymore.

I like that when you do rotate it CCW, the viewfinder is on your right eye and your left eye is unobstructed. That way, you are aware of your surroundings for things like better composition or someone about to run through your shot.

Either direction, you should always have your left hand at the bottom of the camera for stability. If you are a one handed shooter, then I guess CW is more stable.

 

[WDWFigment]

I had to stop and think about this just to be able to answer...

Oddly enough, when shooting handheld, I rotate clockwise. When on a tripod, counter-clockwise.

That said, less than 10% of my photos are shot in portrait orientation.

 

[DSLRuser]

counter clockwise for me. It feals more natural for my shutter finger to be on top

 

[SrisonS]

I turn CCW. And I also use my left eye when shooting (I wonder if that's unique or not?!!!), so that cuts down on my overall awareness.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I go clockwise. Not sure why? Just feels more natural. Honestly, I've never thought about it until right now.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

CCW. It feels like I have better control of the buttons and knobs that way.

 

[JoeDif]

I turn CCW. And I also use my left eye when shooting (I wonder if that's unique or not?!!!), so that cuts down on my overall awareness.

Joe McNally is also a left eye shooter.


CCW for me as well. When I do that the shutter button on the battery grip is at the top and that just feels more comfortable.

 

[WDWFigment]

I turn CCW. And I also use my left eye when shooting (I wonder if that's unique or not?!!!), so that cuts down on my overall awareness.

Joe McNally is also a left eye shooter.


CCW for me as well. When I do that the shutter button on the battery grip is at the top and that just feels more comfortable.

Another thing I've never given any thought. I use my left eye, too.

I'm left-handed...is that why I use my left eye?

 

[ukstitch]

I used to rotate clockwise, but since buying my A99 with grip, I now go anti clockwise with any camera because that's the way you have to turn the A99.grip to get the portrait shutter button in the "correct" (top right) position.

 

[SrisonS]

Another thing I've never given any thought. I use my left eye, too.

I'm left-handed...is that why I use my left eye?

I'm actually right-handed and use my left eye. Don't know if that even matters though.

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm actually right-handed and use my left eye. Don't know if that even matters though.

Same - right handed and use my left eye. I think which eye you use is more heavily influenced by whether you are left or right eyed, rather than left or right handed.

 

[wbeem]

It depends. If I'm shooting a camera with a battery grip, I rotate counter-clockwise. If it doesn't have a battery grip, it goes clockwise

 

[photo_chick]

I go both ways and use both eyes. I'm all kinds of special!

I just always figured it was because I'm ambidextrous. My left hand is dominant but I do pretty much everything with both.

 

[mikegood2]

Interesting! So far 11 rotate counter clockwise and 5 rotate clockwise. The people who shoot both ways I counted one for each.

I'm left-handed and use my right eye, most of the time, but after reading this thread I think I'm going to change. I also wear glasses which lead to an entirely different set of issues. I'm right eyed dominant, so I have to close my left eye whenever I shoot, but don't have too if I use my left eye. As far as comfort both ways feel fine to me. The problem I have is last time I went got my eyes examined (2 years ago) I had a stigmatism, right eye, for the first time. I've also had a dry eye issue with my right eye this winter, so I think I trust my left eye more.

 

[boBQuincy]

I generally go CW, DH goes CCW. Neither of us are left handed. When using a tripod I go CCW because that is the way ReallyRightStuff L brackets are made.

 

[OKW Lover]

I usually go clockwise. That's because my normal horizontal grip is to cradle the body/lens with my left hand and use my right on the grip/shutter release. I feel that rotating it clockwise for portrait shots lets me support the camera from below (cradle) with my right hand, allowing it to be stable. Holding the camera from above would require a stronger grip and higher potential for shake.