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Release Cable
Release cables are plugged directly into the camera's stereo jack and refer to any device that can trigger the camera's shutter without the user needing to press the shutter release button. Because of its simplicity, the release cable can be made of almost any spare household part with a button. For instance, homemade release cables can be constructed from a mouse with a studio jack soldered on or a microphone button from a hands-free cell phone headset. Choose a device with a cord length that matches your needs. For instance, if you are planning to use your release cable for lightning photography, you should use a long cable that will permit you to get away from the storm. On the other hand, if you are planning to use the camera trigger just to help reduce camera shake, you can utilize a much shorter cable.
Remote Trigger
Remote triggers consist of two parts: the remote control and the receiver. The receiver is plugged into the stereo jack just as a standard release cable would be, but the remote receiver will not include any attached cords. Instead, the shutter will be released when the receiver is triggered by your remote control. Any two components capable of communicating with each other can be converted into a remote trigger. For instance, a photo-sensitive cell can be triggered with a laser pointer or a radio trigger can be activated with a device that releases radio waves. A remote trigger can sometimes be less reliable than a physical release cable, as your receiver may be activated by other devices than just your remote control. For this reason, homemade remote triggers are usually discouraged.
Light/Sound Trigger
Light and sound triggers, like remote triggers, involve plugging a receiver into the stereo jack of your camera. However, unlike remote triggers, the light or sound trigger does not have a remote control. Instead, the trigger is activated by either a bright flash of light or a loud, sudden sound. These types of triggers are usual for high-speed photography where humans would not be fast or precise enough to press the shutter release at the right time. For instance, a light trigger can be used to automatically trip a camera's shutter when a lightning bolt appears, and a sound trigger can be used to open the shutter when a gun is fired. Both triggers will require some familiarity with electronics, and should not be attempted unless you are comfortable creating and programming your own electronic devices.