The loose rule of thumb is to not use a shutter speed slower than the focal length of your lens.... So if you're using a 300mm lens, you should try to keep your shutter speed @ 1/300th or faster..... Elbows held as close to the body as possible.... and holding breath until after shutter is triggered is pretty much what is recommended... and it's what I do as well.... Nothing though, takes the place of the tripod, as you already know.....

I am, therefore I create.......
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