Image sharpness is an important aspect of judging the quality of a photo. The sharpness of a photograph can significantly impact whether the image quality is impressive or just… bad. Many times, people end up with slightly blurry photos. Does this mean you are a bad photographer? NO, NOT AT ALL. More often, the problem is not with the photographer or camera lens but instead with technique or camera settings. This article will outline eleven tips to get sharper photos in-camera.
Use a Tripod and Keep Your Camera Stable
The purpose of a tripod is to keep your camera as still as possible. This is essential for situations where you need to use a slow shutter speed. It allows you to use any shutter speed without introducing camera shake.
Avoid extending the center column and legs more than necessary when setting up your tripod. The taller you make it, the more it will wobble.
If you need extra stability, try hanging something off the hook on the underside of your tripod to provide weight. Many professionals carry an empty “rock bag” that they can fill with stones to give good weight, which will hold steady.
Use a Fast Shutter Speed for Handheld Shots
One of the best ways to increase your chances of taking sharper photos is to make sure you have a fast shutter speed. A faster shutter speed will reduce the likelihood of taking a blurry image.
Unless you are intentionally trying to include motion in your image, aim for a shutter speed equal to or faster than your focal length.
While you hold your camera, prop yourself up on a wall or sturdy object. Also, tuck your elbows in to reduce camera shake. Doing these tricks will give you a better chance of having sharper photos.
Find the Sharpest Aperture for Your Lens
To make your photos sharper, choose a smaller aperture. This will make it harder for light to come through the lens, thus improving focus. There is usually a ‘sweet spot’ for sharpness for most lenses. This usually falls between f/11 to f/16. This will provide the best sharpness for your whole image and create depth.
However, the sharpest aperture with wide-angle lenses is wider apertures (f/11 to f/5.6) because of the way they are designed. This is important to consider if you use wide-angle lenses for cityscape or landscape photography. To find your lens’s sharpest aperture, take several test shots at different aperture settings and compare.
Also, when you make your aperture smaller than f/16 (F16 TO F25), you can often lose sharpness in the background. This issue may be due to the quality of your lens.
Make Sure to Keep Your Lens Clean
It is essential to clean your lens. Two parts of the lens need cleaning: the front and back elements. You can use a macrofibre cloth or alcohol wipes for this job.
In addition to lens cleaning, Sensor cleaning is also essential. Unless you know how to clean the sensor correctly, a professional should do this for you. It is worth the price to have an expert clean it than to take the chance of ruining your sensor.
Use a Remote or Cable Shutter Release
A cable release is a wired connection to your camera that activates the shutter. Using one prevents any movement of the camera from the photographer or an external force.
Another option is a remote shutter release. This may allow for more flexibility because you do not have to hold the cable, especially during long exposure shots. The less contact you have with the camera, the better you can avoid camera shake.
You can use a self-timer or exposure delay if you cannot access a cable or remote release. Set it for 3 seconds or longer for any bit of vibration to die down before the shutter fires.
Make Sure Your Subject is in Focus
When in doubt, use manual focus. If you use a wide aperture for your scene, you want to ensure that you have your subject in sharp focus.
Auto-focus may be convenient during the day, but it is not a good idea to use it at night because there usually isn’t enough light where the auto-focus can focus correctly on the subject.
Shoot in RAW Format
Shooting RAW images is especially important because RAW files have more information in the file that can be adjusted in post-processing, whereas JPEGS don’t.
With JPEGS, the camera sets the sharpness in-camera and pretty much locks it in the file once it is compressed. This makes it nearly impossible to sharpen any further in post-processing. Although possible, you run the chance of creating more noise and artifacts in the image.
Use In-Camera Noise Reduction
If your camera has this function, turn it on before you start taking photos. You don’t want to take any chances with noisy photos in post-processing because sharpening a noisy image will just make the noise worse.
The downside of noise reduction in camera is that it can be very time-consuming. Keep this in mind if you have to take multiple shots or if you have time constraints.
Lock the Mirror Up for Maximum Sharpness
For most DSLRs, the mirror will flip up after the shutter is pressed to let light into the sensor. This movement can cause a slight shake inside the camera, which can cause longer exposure shots to turn out blurry.
However, there is something you can do to prevent this. You can lock the mirror up in your camera. If your camera has this, switch to mirror lock-up mode (Mup).
If your camera doesn’t have this, you could switch to either live view mode or exposure delay mode, which will lock your mirror up before the shutter is released. I usually use a 3-second exposure delay when I am shooting.
Use a Low ISO Level
High ISO settings cause digital noise in your photo. This causes sharp details to appear fuzzy, affecting the image’s overall sharpness. Lowering your ISO speed as much as possible can help limit digital noise and keep photos clear.
When I am shooting outdoors in the evening, I usually use an ISO of 200 or lower. During the day, I try to keep my ISO at about 640 when I am shooting handheld.
Turn Off Image Stabilization
Image stabilization is a helpful feature used in many different situations, especially if you are photographing movement. It’s also great if you’re shooting handheld.
However, never turn it on when you have your camera on a tripod. This is because the IS/VR motor inside the lens is to take care of any shaking while shooting handheld. But, when you’re on a tripod, this can be problematic if there is any movement at all. It will ruin your images.
Also, IS also eats through batteries like wildfire. So, use it for handheld shots only.
Conclusion
Getting sharper images in camera requires a combination of technical knowledge, equipment choices, and artistic vision. You can consistently capture clear and crisp images by mastering the eleven tips outlined in this article. Best of luck, and I hope these tips will help you capture those tack-sharp photos that will elevate your photography skills.