Occasionally, outside factors can make it difficult to get a sharp photo, such as when photographing a moving subject. But, with a combination of some simple techniques and the right equipment, you can ensure that your photos are always pin-sharp.
Try these tips for sharp photography to consistently improve your results!
- Shutter Speed. Don't try to take hand-held shots at anything below 1/60th of a second, or you're likely to get camera shake. Always try to use a shutter speed that is faster than your focal length. In other words, at 200mm, use a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second.
- Apertures. Try to avoid shooting at the extreme limits of your lens' aperture (such as f2.8 or f22), unless you have some very expensive professional standard glass. Most budget and standard lenses can tail off a little -- particularly at extremely wide-open apertures -- and they can be a little soft.
- Tripods. Use a tripod for any shutter speed below 1/60th of a second, if you're shooting with a long telephoto lens or if the conditions are blustery, making holding the camera by hand awkward. Buy a highly recommended, sturdy tripod, and don't scrimp on the price too much, or your tripod won't be secure.
- Focusing. Remember to press the shutter button halfway down to compose and focus the shot. Chose the correct autofocus mode for the type of shot you are taking, and don't forget that you can choose your AF point to make sure your subject is sharp.
- Don't scrimp on gear. While none of us is made of money, it's worth saving up to buy gear that's slightly above the very cheap and cheerful range! I'm not suggesting that you need to buy professionally priced gear, but doing your research and buying equipment that will last will provide you with better results throughout your photography lifetime.
- Good stance. Make sure that you're supporting your body weight and that you brace yourself when taking photos. You don't want your own movement to cause an out-of-focus photo!