Photographers have somewhat varying opinions on what constitutes a tack sharp picture, but generally, a tack sharp photograph has good, clean lines.The picture will have clear definition, instead of being blurred.
There are several things you can do to increase your chances of getting that coveted tack sharp picture. Hand-Held Digital Photography Tips
If you’re hand-holding your camera, brace your arms against your sides to help steady the camera.Anti-shake technology such as Vibration Reduction (VR) or Image Stabilzation (IS) lens should be turned on if available.
You can also lean against a wall or tree or whatever sturdy object that’s handy, and help keep yourself and your camera steady. Another way is to lean or lay your camera on some nearby sturdy object to help steady the camera. Steadying your camera by hooking the strap under your elbow and wrapping the rest around your forearm will also help stabilize the camera and hold it steady in your hand.
Getting those tack sharp photos while hand-holding your camera can be difficult, so to increase your chances of getting that perfect shot, use the burst or continuous shooting mode on your camera to take several shots at once.With several pictures taken in quick sequence, there’s a greater chance at least one will be in sharp focus.
Tripods For Better Focus
There’s no getting around the fact that it’s easier to get a tack sharp photo using a tripod. You just can’t hold the camera as steady as a tripod will.With a tripod, like other photography equipment, you get what you pay for. A cheap tripod will help, but won’t hold your camera rock steady like a more expensive tripod will.Buying the best tripod you can reasonably afford gets the best results.
The more expensive tripods don’t come with the head attached.This had to be bought separately, but that way you get to choose what you want.A quality ballhead on your tripod will keep you camera from sliding to one side and blurring the photo.
If you’re somewhere that carrying a tripod just won’t work, beanbags make a nice cushion for cameras in these settings. A beanbag can help in positioning the camera to get the right angle on the subject, then hold the camera steady so you get a sharp shot.
To improve your chances of a tack sharp photo even more, use a cable release instead of pressing the shutter.The movement from pressing the shutter may not seem like much, but it shakes the camera enough to prevent getting a tack sharp picture.
If you don’t have a cable release, the self timer will also work.This allows you to press the shutter, but gives the camera time to stabilize before taking the picture.
More Advanced Digital Photography Secrets For Sharp Shots
If you have a digital SLR camera, there are even more ways to make sure your camera stays steady while taking pictures.
The first is to use mirror lock-up.This keeps the camera locked in the up position until after the picture is taken. That limits movement inside the camera. This means to take a picture, you will have to press the shutter release button twice on your remote or cable release (you’re not going to all this trouble and pressing the shutter release on the camera are you?). The first press lifts the mirror and the second press actually takes the picture.
The second method is to turn off the Vibration Reduction or Image Stabilization. That may sound counter productive, but when you’ve stabilized your camera with a tripod and other methods, the vibration reduction keeps looking for shakes/movements. If the camera isn’t moving, then the vibration reduction can actually cause shaking while looking for movement. A good rule to follow is to keep these turned off when using a tripod, and only use them when you’re hand-holding the camera.
One last way to increase the sharpness of your pictures is to have good glass. It makes a big difference which lens you use.You get what you pay for. A quality lens with good glass is expensive, but it’s worth it.Think of it as an investment in great pictures.
Use as many methods as you can to steady your camera, and you’ll have a much better chance of getting those lovely tack sharp photographs.
Tags: Digital Photography, Digital Photography Tips, tack sharp photo