Learn Photography – What You Can Do To Prevent Blurry Pictures
Article by Autumn Lockwood
Blurry photographs are the bane of photographers across the world. No matter how well composed, how nice the lighting, or how exceptionally rare the shot, the whole thing is ruined if the final image turns out blurry. Understanding what causes images to end up blurry is key to avoiding this very common, and very frustrating, mistake. So here are three common causes of blurry pictures:
Focus Issues
The most common cause of blurry pictures is a focusing problem. This can manifest in several ways. The most common cause is that the photographer didn’t properly focus the camera either because the auto focus didn’t choose the right part of the picture to focus on or due to an error on the photographer’s part.
These issues are easy enough to prevent in most cases; simply double check that what the lens is focusing on is what you want to be the focal point for your photograph. If it’s not, try adjusting the focus until you get the results you want in the viewfinder. Some auto focus cameras have a focus lock that allows you to center your subject in the viewfinder, push the shutter button half way down and then move the camera without losing the focus area.
Blurry Movement
Film often has difficulty capturing objects in motion clearly, and those who have attempted to shoot action-heavy environments know this first hand. You can spot motion blur because the stationary objects in the picture will be sharp but the moving objects will be blurry.
Luckily, motion blur is easy to avoid. If you notice your action shots are fuzzy, change your shutter speed to a higher setting to shorten the exposure of the picture. This will help to capture quick-moving targets with minimal blur. Don’t forget that faster shutter speeds will need more light and often fast film or a different digital setting, so be prepared if you’re shooting fast moving action.
Camera Shake
A lesser-known villain of blurry photographs, camera shake is still a force to be reckoned with. Whether you realize it or not, we’re always moving (for example, just try holding your hand perfectly steady) so it can be difficult remaining perfectly motionless which can cause a problem when it comes to our pictures.
You can prevent camera blur by using a fast shutter speed (which should negate the minor movements) or by bracing your arms on something while holding your camera. If you need to use a slow shutter speed, then it’s always best to use a tripod to avoid any possible camera shake problems. Finally, you can remove the issue of minor movement caused by pushing the shutter button by using a remote or cable release.
If you end up getting a bunch of blurry pictures, the first step is determining what caused the camera blur. If the problem is with focusing, some parts of the picture will be fuzzy while others will be sharp. If the problem is with motion, then only the moving objects will be fuzzy. And if it’s camera shake, then the entire picture will be blurry. After you figure out what the problem is, then you can re-shoot the images knowing exactly what you need to do differently. As a result, your pictures will turn out beautifully.
When heading into every shooting situation, be aware of what light you will have, what you will be taking pictures of, and what tools you’ll need to ensure those photographs come out perfect. In the case of blur, a little preparation will go a long way.
About the Author
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames. Shop online and see our gold picture frames in a wide variety of styles and sizes. Visit our website to see our lovely gold picture frames and dazzling flower picture frames or call 800-780-0699.
Learning basic photography begins with the main light. The main light is what we base all of our lighting on. In this StudioTip from StudioStyles.net, Mike explains what the main light is, the difference between hard and soft light, and considerations when you are positioning the main light for various effects. For more in depth training and a robust interactive community visit us at www.studiostyes.net
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