How to Take Sharp Photos

Holding the Camera Correctly Helps, But Newer Cameras Can Do Wonders

Aug 11, 2009 Linda N. Riggins

Here are some tips and practices to follow to get sharper photos.

If possible, get a camera that has what is often called image stabilization (IS). This technology uses sensors and motors within the camera body and/or lens to detect and compensate for camera movement, which is a leading cause of unsharp photos. With image stabilization, a photographer can often get crisp photos at shutter speeds that are up to three increments slower than those required for a camera without IS.

Beware that some manufacturers say their cameras have what they call picture stabilization or some other term. Do not confuse this with image stabilization. With picture stabilization, the camera bumps up the film speed (ASA or ISO) to 800,1600 or higher. This is not image stabilization. While these higher ASAs allow images to be captured in low light and allow photographers to stop the motion of fast-moving subjects, using them results in noise– tiny dots of light and color– giving the photo an undesirable grainy look.

Use a Camera Support or Know How to Hold a Camera

Sharp photos result when there is no camera movement. Photographers can use a tripod or monopd to steady the camera or they can lean against a wall to steady themselves.

A proper camera-holding technique leads to less camera shake and sharper photos. To begin, right-handed photographers should let the base of the camera body rest in the left hand. Grip the right side of the camera with the right hand and put the fingers of the left hand around the lens barrel. Bring the elbows in close to the sides of the body. Inhale. Before feeling the need to exhale, gently squeeze—do not punch or jab—the shutter button.

For photographers using a long telephoto, move the hand toward the tip of the lens until the camera's weight feels evenly distributed. Keep the elbows against the body and keep one foot a little ahead of the other for the photograher's stability.

Auto Focus, Manual Focus and Image-Editing Software

It helps too if just before squeezing the shutter button, the photographer whose camera does not have image stabilization switches from viewing the scene on the LCD screen to the viewfinder. Bringing the camera to the face rather than holding it at arm's length permits the photographer to use the hands and elbows as a stabilizer.

To get a sharp photo using auto focus, squeeze the shutter down halfway to lock in the focus and then squeeze it all the way to capture the image. If the photographer finds that the camera has trouble focusing in the auto-focusing mode, the photographer should use manual focus, if available. Manual focusing systems on digital cameras allow photographers to magnify the scene to get it in focus before taking the picture. Image-editing software is also available to sharpen photos.

Sources:

Graves, Russell. The Kodak Most Basic Book of Digital Nature Photography. New York: Lark Books. 2008.
Milburn, Ken. Digital Photography: Expert Techniques. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly. 2d ed. 2007.
Timacheff, Serge. Canon EOS Digital Photography Photo Workshop. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2008.

The copyright of the article How to Take Sharp Photos in Photography is owned by Linda N. Riggins. Permission to republish How to Take Sharp Photos in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Start By Resting Base of Camera in Palm