How to reduce shake in photo?

I took this photo out over a lake next to where I live. At the time I didn't have a tripod, is there a decent way to edit the shakiness? I Have Adobe Creative Suite 4, Lightroom V3.3, and the topaz plug-ins.

Well with it being so black at the bottom you could just clone out half of each light. Better luck next time.

I thought about that, but didn't know how that would look with this pic.

You might have missed out on a few options for this shot. I shoot a lot of photos at dawn from a boat. The combination of a slow shutter and a unstable platform always seems to produce some jiggle and shake. I have found in cases like this a high ISO setting can be your friend.

Monopods work well as does using the marine shooting position and breathing correctly just like shooting a rifle- deep breath in ,exhale slightly, hold breath and shoot

Shot from a boat using the above technique

Really no way to correct it in post...If you get into a situation again without a tripod, try bracing your body against something like a tree, or maybe laying on the ground for the shot. Using a higher ISO won't always help much unless you have a more current "pro" level body that handles higher ISO's better. Otherwise you will find more noise than what you may want. Using a noise reduction program in that scenario results in some detail loss to compensate for the noise reduction...

This is not meant offensivly but if you look at your photo there is very little detail in there to work with, in other words it isnt a good photo, (ouch that hurt me to say it) in these situations and the fact you are using a digital camera, try various different exposures, check your screen continuously to see what you have and above all use the breathing technique Rob has suggested, I even use it for wedding photos, its surprising how many photos are being taken with people huffing and puffing during the exposure.

photobod wrote: This is not meant offensivly but if you look at your photo there is very little detail in there to work with, in other words it isnt a good photo, (ouch that hurt me to say it) in these situations and the fact you are using a digital camera, try various different exposures, check your screen continuously to see what you have and above all use the breathing technique Rob has suggested, I even use it for wedding photos, its surprising how many photos are being taken with people huffing and puffing during the exposure.

Well, considering my Coolpix Camera doesn't have a way to change ISO settings, that is out of the question. While this photo may not be a good photo to you, it may be a good photo to me. Sure there isn't ALOT of detail, but it is a storm comin in at night, while it may not be a GREAT capture, it still is good enough to have caught a moment in time of one of the first storms coming in at the new place I live.

I use the breathing technique myself, however with winds of 40 mph blowing across the lake to me, it was still hard to keep steady. This wasn't on a boat or anything, it was on ground, I just needed tripod to have helped keep steady in this situation.

But even if you shoot with a point and shoot you can still practice the techniques that the pros use. Not every photo you take will be an award winner., but if you keep practicing when you get your pro camera you will be that much a head of the curve. Just for instance I was working with my new lens at an Easter gathering yesterday... most of the pictures I took were not good at all LOL. But I had to remember that I am still practicing with it and next time I am that zoomed in I need to have a mono pod. Keep shooting and as long as you enjoy what you do you will "enjoy" making mistakes too !

Scott Miller wrote: Well, considering my Coolpix Camera doesn't have a way to change ISO settings, that is out of the question. While this photo may not be a good photo to you, it may be a good photo to me. Sure there isn't ALOT of detail, but it is a storm comin in at night, while it may not be a GREAT capture, it still is good enough to have caught a moment in time of one of the first storms coming in at the new place I live.

I use the breathing technique myself, however with winds of 40 mph blowing across the lake to me, it was still hard to keep steady. This wasn't on a boat or anything, it was on ground, I just needed tripod to have helped keep steady in this situation.

sorry Scott if I offended you yes you are right what isnt a great shot for me could be a great shot for you, at the end of the day whatever answers you get, they are only peoples opinions for you too take on board or discard, the choice is yours

Messhaller wrote: But even if you shoot with a point and shoot you can still practice the techniques that the pros use. Not every photo you take will be an award winner., but if you keep practicing when you get your pro camera you will be that much a head of the curve. Just for instance I was working with my new lens at an Easter gathering yesterday... most of the pictures I took were not good at all LOL. But I had to remember that I am still practicing with it and next time I am that zoomed in I need to have a mono pod. Keep shooting and as long as you enjoy what you do you will "enjoy" making mistakes too !

photobod wrote:

Messhaller wrote: But even if you shoot with a point and shoot you can still practice the techniques that the pros use. Not every photo you take will be an award winner., but if you keep practicing when you get your pro camera you will be that much a head of the curve. Just for instance I was working with my new lens at an Easter gathering yesterday... most of the pictures I took were not good at all LOL. But I had to remember that I am still practicing with it and next time I am that zoomed in I need to have a mono pod. Keep shooting and as long as you enjoy what you do you will "enjoy" making mistakes too !

Even a small tripod would be a big help. A "Gorilla pod" type that you can pick up for about $20 can make a world of difference, especially on a lightweight camera. I use tripods, monopods and the "Gorilla-type" is various situations. Took me a while to learn these lessons but it's finally sinking in.

There are tripods everywhere... A picnic table is a quadpod??? I've also used trees, sandbags, ladies bags, the top of the car or the edge of the window you can even lay on the ground for those lunar shots. Just attach the camera to something solid like your supported elbows. It also helps if you chant the name Manfrotto a few times.

Since this photo, I HAVE picked up a cheap tripod. Found it on ebay for $11 shipped. No, it's not a huge professional grade tripod, but it works for my needs.

While not a lightning strike directly, this is the same area as in the original photo.