Having trouble with the sharpness of your photos? Are the results blurry and you don’t know why? Follow our tips to improve image sharpness.
Why are my photos blurred?
Blurred images are a problem for many photographers! You might have wondered if your camera kit isn’t good enough to take sharp pictures. You might have even bought a new camera and a new lens – but pictures are still blurred. So what’s gone wrong?
How to get sharper images
Read our tips below to obtain sharper images. If you keep them in mind you will take constantly pin-sharp pictures in future.
Fast shutter speed
Reduce the time the sensor is exposed to light to avoid movement blur. This works best when you try to capture moving objects – but it also reduces camera shake from your own movements.
As a golden rule your shutter speed should be set to 1/focal length. The steady shot, which can be found in most Sony cameras, also helps avoid blur from camera movement. It can help to have it activated most of the time.
If you can’t set the shutter speed manually on your camera, try the sport mode found on most cameras.
Avoid body movement
Not using a shorter shutter speed due to lighting conditions? Try to avoid camera shake caused by body movement. Bring your arms as close to your body as possible and pull your elbows in. Firmly grip the camera and, if possible, hold your breath when releasing the shutter.
Stabilise your camera/body
Still shaking? Use your surroundings to stabilise your body even more. Lean against a wall or put your elbows on a brick wall or something solid. Put your camera on solid ground – a wall, a rock etc. A small beanbag can help balance the camera on an uneven surface.
Use a remote controller so you don’t have to touch the camera when releasing the shutter. Depending on your model, you could try an infrared or cable remote.
Use a tripod
Best things last – a tripod is the ideal solution to keep your camera rock steady when taking pictures. Use your camera’s self-timer (or a remote controller) to avoid touching the camera during shutter release.
If you use long exposure times there’s no way around a tripod – it’s a must for night-time photographers or any other scenario where you have to use long exposure times. If your camera is mounted on a tripod, you should disable the steady shot so the sensor is fixed in the camera.
Don’t use a long lens
Since it’s hard to hold a telephoto zoom lens steady and stable, you may have better results with a shorter focal length lens. A wider viewing angle allows you to use a longer exposure time than you would with a long lens. As stated above, your shutter speed should be set to 1/focal length. This means the shorter your lens, the longer your shutter speed.
To sum up: Take your time and check your set-up is properly balanced. Try to hold your camera as steady as possible, and use quicker shutter speeds with shorter focal length lenses.
Do you have tips to eliminate blurry pictures? Feel free to share them in the Comments section below.
