If any of you have ever wanted a way to film with that "in the palm shake" that you get with your hand held Video camera, here's a simple yet effective form of steady cam  I created.   to start, I bought a monopod. The name sort of says everything as to what that is but if you don't already know, it basically a telescoping stick with an end to screw your camera onto.  I bought mine at Wal-mart for 15 dollars and when it's fully extended it extends over my head, but it needn't be that big.  If you don't want you go out and buy one or wish to use your tripod you already own, that works too.  Just make sure that what you do use can be made to be 2-3 feet. the best gauge is to attach you camera and hold your camera at eye level.  The monopod should come down to just below your groin.  You want  it to be as long as possible, but if you go too far below the groin you run the risk of smacking the bottom with your legs, thus making the process pointless.    

Now you need a counter weight.   I use 2 fried hard drives. Your goal is for them to be about the same weight as the device your using.  if not then alittle more.  But again you want to watch HOW heavy your counter weights are because every ounce will begin to feel like a pound when your carrying this around all day.  Attach the counter weight as far down the  shaft as you can go.  I use bungie cord and and foam to attach it and make it grab the pole.

Now to how to use it.   Find the half way point on the shaft and put one hand right above it.  then place the other hand a couple inches below the camera.   Now... play!  spend some time experimenting with how to make your shots smooth.   One thing you'll notice with a monopod is that while your shake up and down goes away,  your side to side  is still there.   I am making an extension handle for mine to fix that,  but practice will help a lot too.

There ya go.  That's my piece

Have fun

Rich