Handheld camera

A camera operated without a fixed support such as a tripod. Its movement can introduce shake, alter framing, and make footage feel immediate or unstable.

Camera shake: Unintended image movement caused by motion of a camera during exposure or recording. Small hand movements shift the frame, especially during long exposures or telephoto shots.
Documentary film: Nonfiction film that presents real people, events, or conditions. Handheld shooting lets documentary crews follow unfolding events with limited setup.
Tripod: A three-legged support used to hold a camera steady. A tripod removes most operator movement, unlike handheld operation.
Shaky-cam: A filming style that uses pronounced camera shake to create immediacy or disorientation. It turns handheld instability into an intentional visual effect.
Image stabilization: Techniques that reduce image blur or frame movement caused by camera motion. Optical and electronic stabilization can counter movement without fixing the camera to a support.
Cinema verité: A documentary style that uses direct observation and unobtrusive filming to engage with reality. Handheld cameras helped its filmmakers follow action with a mobile, observational style.
Monopod: A single-legged camera support that reduces movement while allowing quick repositioning. It occupies a middle ground between freehand operation and a locked tripod.
Immersion (media): A sense of involvement in a mediated experience that draws attention into its represented world. Camera movement can make scenes feel physically close and observed from within.
Shutter speed: The duration for which a camera sensor or film is exposed to light. Short exposures freeze hand movement; longer ones make it more visible as blur.
Gonzo journalism: A first-person form of journalism that foregrounds the reporter's experience and perspective. Handheld video can place the camera operator inside the events being reported.

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