If you've done much taping with your camcorder, there have probably been times when everyone gets motion sickness watching it. Not to worry. It's a common enough problem but it does seriously reduce the enjoyment of watching the tape.

Absolutely! (There almost always is.) Many of the newer camcorders have a feature called 'Image Stabilization'. It can cost several hundred dollars more because it adds some complexity but if you can afford it you need read no further. There are two kinds of stabilization at present - optical and electronic. I'd just like to suggest, however, that if you make that investment in image stabilization, you select optical stabilization. You'll get a little degradation of the picture with the other kind.

No you don't. It's a nice solution but it costs. For the rest of us we can do a pretty good job without it.

No big secret. All you have to do is to keep the camera from moving when you don't want it to. When will it move? Most often when you're 'panning' from left to right, but also when you're making a stationary shot and trying to breathe at the same time.

You've probably noticed that this is much worse when you've 'zoomed' in on a subject from a distance. This is because very tiny camera movements are amplified when the subject is at a distance. Obviously then, one way to reduce this problem is to get closer to your subject. That way you won't have to use the zoom capability so much. Having that zoom capability tends to make us all a little lazy, I'm afraid. You could also get a wide-angle attachment for your lens which will make the picture wider while you're closer.

In any case, whether close in or far away, panning (moving the camera across the scene from one side to the other) also presents opportunities for 'shaky pictures'.

It usually feels like we're holding the camera pretty steady, but because we're moving with it we tend not to notice that movement. There are a few ways to reduce this problem.

First, you can get a tripod. I know--one more clumsy thing to carry. But if the video is important enough, or if the event is in one place and will go on for a while, a tripod may be your answer. Just try to buy a reasonably good one. Inexpensive photo tripods tend to bind and make smooth pans very difficult.

There's also a thing called a 'monopod'. Yup -you guessed it- it's a one- legged tripod. These are inexpensive, very light, collapse down as small as a small umbrella and work pretty darn well. You can tuck it in your camera bag or a back pack or hang it on your belt. (Most come with wrist straps.) When you're using one, try to hold it close in to your body so that it won't sway from side to side. Another trick is to attach it to the camera and tuck the end of the monopod in your belt. Careful! Pulled in close to your body, it makes a great personal camera mount.

The simplest answer (and the least expensive) is to use whatever's around. First, always pull your elbows close into your body. When you turn to pan, plant your feet solidly and turn your body at the hips, not at the shoulders. Also practice shooting with both eyes open. It takes a little getting used to but it's much easier to anticipate subject movement and see people or objects that may bump you or you may bump.

Learn to lean. Not to be lean (although that's good too) but to find things you can lean against to brace the camera. Lean against a wall or a car or truck - a lamp post or fence, or sit down, pull up your knees and brace the camera on them. And be aware of your breathing. Breathe long shallow breaths, preferably from your diaphragm and that will help your stability.

Just a little bit of creativity and care can make a world of difference in the quality of your videos.