The Pros Secret to Getting Tack Sharp Images

Use a Tripod to get Tack Sharp Images

One thing that separates pro-photographers from amateur ones is that pros always use tripods, well almost always. It can be a hassle setting up a tripod but it is worth it and you will definitely get sharper images by using one. The tripod will greatly reduce camera shake caused by hand holding your camera.

There are times when we will have to hand hold our cameras and here are some tips when doing so:

1. The number one reason for blurry images is shooting with a shutter speed that is to low to hand hold without inducing camera shake. Here is a good practice to follow: Whatever the focal length of the lens is put an imaginary 1 over it and do not go below that shutter speed. For example if you are using a 200mm zoom lens do not use a shutter speed any lower than 1/200sec. If you are using a 50mm lens do not use a shutter speed any lower than 1/50sec and so on.
2. When using a camera mode, such as, “Aperture Priority,” one of my favorites, always verify what your camera is using for a shutter speed. (In Aperture Priority Mode you choose the FStop and ISO and the camera selects the Shutter Speed.) If the Shutter Speed is to low to hand hold then you must raise your camera’s ISO to compensate for the low shutter speed. You will find as you raise up your ISO your shutter speed will increase. Keep raising up the Shutter Speed until you are at a speed that will eliminate camera shake.This will enable you to take a sharper photo.

Note: Pay attention to these two tips and I guarantee you will get sharper photos while hand holding your camera. 

Note: Use a Tripod for best results.

What is an FStop and Why Do We Need It?

In simple terms an FStop is an opening in your lens that lets light come into your camera. By controlling the size of this opening we are able to get the proper amount of light onto the film or digital sensor to give us a proper exposure. But is that all FStops are useful for? Fstops also control the depth of field of a photograph, which is the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that give an image judged to be in focus. This is a very useful and creative means of giving your photograph a certain creative look.

Suppose you are taking an image of a landscape and you want the entire image to be in focus. By using a very small FStop you are able to achieve this. Let’s say you want to take a portrait and you want the background to be out of focus but you want your subject to be in focus. You would change your FStop to a very large opening and then focus on your subject to achieve this result.

As you can see FStops are very important in photography. They give us the ability to control the look of the image we want the viewer to see. I encourage you to take photos using various FStops and see the results. This will help you to better understand FStops.