Blurred photos, every photographer knows it. And sometimes it's really a big frustration. Because how can this happen every time? Why are other people's photos sharp, but mine aren't?
Staying stuck in the frustration is not a solution, that's why I want to help you. Be your step-by-step coach to solve all your problems and together create the most amazing photos you've ever taken.
And.... more fun in photography. Because after years of coaching people like you, I know one thing for sure: if the frustration is gone and you can continue to grow, the fun will increase visibly.
Let's take a step-by-step look at the possible causes of blurry photos:
1. Your camera's AF system
The autofocus (AF) is an extremely powerful system in your camera. But like many powerful systems also quite complex and something can easily go wrong here. It is important that you take control of your AF.
The starting point is choosing 1 focus point. Just to get that control. Then you can later see how the AF works with, for example, eye detection. And how you can adjust it if the wrong eyes are chosen for several people in the photo.
You learn how to take control of the AF in this free lesson.
2. Your posture, your body as a tripod
Keeping your camera steady is an art or skill. It is extremely important to turn your body into a sturdy tripod. That's why I always use the viewfinder and not the display of my camera. Because if I have to hold my camera still with 2 arms in front of me, that has no chance.
How?
First, I grab my camera firmly with my left hand under my lens. So not my thumb underneath and fingers above it, but the other way around so my camera is on my hand (see attached photo). And I push both my elbows into my body. And I make sure my legs are slightly apart so that I really stand firm. I press my camera to my head.
The comfortable wristband ensures that I have all the freedom and yet safe. And that's how I take my pictures.
3. The shutter speed
An important cause of blurry photos is the shutter speed. If this is too low, you have a good chance of blurry photos. It is possible that the shutter speed is too low and that blur is caused by movement of your camera. But also that you can hold the camera still with the correct attitude/grip as with point 2, but that your subject is moving.
So what is a good shutter speed? What is fast enough? That's a tough question, there's no set rule for that. To prevent camera movement, when using a normal lens up to 60 mm, the unwritten rule must be 1/60 or faster.
The unwritten rule 1/number of millimeters applies to telephoto lenses. So a telephoto lens at 200 mm is then 1/200 minimum. And this rule works quite well.
This is a lot more difficult for moving subjects. Because then it turns out that movement and speed are relative to the distance to the camera. That's why here in the Everything about Photography course (online with personal guidance) I go into this much deeper with fun assignments after each lesson.
4. The lens
A much underestimated part of your camera is the lens. We are happy to invest in a good camera, but the lens must also be added. And so we sometimes save a little too much on that.
A lens is not just a piece of glass, but it determines, among other things, the color, contrast and sharpness of your photo. In that respect, your lens is even more important than your camera's sensor.
A cheap lens can therefore prevent you from getting sharp photos. No matter what technique and settings you try. It can help to adjust your lens to back/front focus. I can help you with this.
But investing in a good lens is always more than worth it.
Do you want to take further steps with your photography? Leave your frustrations behind? Heading for your perfect picture?
Then I would like to be your personal coach and have you there as a Golden Hour Member (first month almost free):
https://www.marcellogeerts.com/membership