How to take sharp photos

[ypurcaro]

I took this photo in the morning arount 9 AM. The sun was bright (In California) and no fog at all. I tired really hard to make it as sharp as possible but this is the best I could get. I had the polarizing filter on that morning. These are the settings I had:

Shutter Speed: 1/25
AV = 5.6
ISO = 160
Lense = EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS
Flash off

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you.

[Nicole]

At least 2 things. First, it looks like you were shooting right into the sun, giving it a haze. Shoot with the sun further to the side or higher up in the day and that should help with the slightly foggy look.

Second, your shutter speed is pretty slow, especially with a 55-200mm lens. The suggested minimum shutter speed for getting photos sharp is at least 1/focal length (some people say it should be faster than that, others are capable of hand holding and getting sharp images at slower speeds). Your shutter speed is 1/25, and I'm not sure if you were shooting at 55mm or zoomed in more, so your shutter speed almost certainly needs to be faster.

[kencaleno]

1.Set your dioptre to match your vision:

Detach lens, (so you are adjusting focus on focus point, not image) - adjust dioptre (next to viewfinder) so focus points are sharply in focus. (easier against a white, or light background) Re-attach lens.

2. Use a tripod

3. Lock mirror up

4. Use a cable release;remote, or self timer

5. Use an Iso that will give you at least 1/250 sec (allow for wind movement)

6. In menus lock focus, and use back AFf-L/AE-L button to focus

7. set aperture to F 8 or F 11

Regards, Ken

[OsmosisStudios]

ken, those are great suggestions but in this case theyre way above and beyond what is necessary.

[ypurcaro]

Originally Posted by Nicole

At least 2 things. First, it looks like you were shooting right into the sun, giving it a haze. Shoot with the sun further to the side or higher up in the day and that should help with the slightly foggy look.

Second, your shutter speed is pretty slow, especially with a 55-200mm lens. The suggested minimum shutter speed for getting photos sharp is at least 1/focal length (some people say it should be faster than that, others are capable of hand holding and getting sharp images at slower speeds). Your shutter speed is 1/25, and I'm not sure if you were shooting at 55mm or zoomed in more, so your shutter speed almost certainly needs to be faster.

Nicole,
Thank you for your time. Yes, I shot right into the sun and I though it would give me enough light that is why i used very low shutter speed. I mixed up the shutter speed with ISO. As you can tell, i am a beginner. Yes, I used the 55mm lens because that morning I was planning to shoot some photos of the birds. Again, I didn't know the shutter speed has to do with the lens.

[ypurcaro]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

1.Set your dioptre to match your vision:

Detach lens, (so you are adjusting focus on focus point, not image) - adjust dioptre (next to viewfinder) so focus points are sharply in focus. (easier against a white, or light background) Re-attach lens.

2. Use a tripod

3. Lock mirror up

4. Use a cable release;remote, or self timer

5. Use an Iso that will give you at least 1/250 sec (allow for wind movement)

6. In menus lock focus, and use back AFf-L/AE-L button to focus

7. set aperture to F 8 or F 11

Regards, Ken

Ken, thank you for the suggestions. Now, what is "Lock mirror up"?

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by ypurcaro

Ken, thank you for the suggestions. Now, what is "Lock mirror up"?

On some DSLR cameras,you can lock the reflex mirror up, to avoid "mirror-slap",(The mirror always flips up to make the shot,and the vibrations from this can effect sharpness,due to "camera shake") If your camera allows it, lock mirror up. Regards, Ken

[Raoul Isidro]

I hope these suggestions would help.
The thread title is: "How To Take Sharp Photos"
Question is, what was the thing or subject you wanted to be sharp? There's just too many elements in the image and each one set to a different distance from the camera. Try walking closer and re compose. Walk around and take several shots from different angles. Choose a single subject and focus on that. Your depth of field narrows greatly as you come close to a subject. This helps to blur out peripheral elements.
Everything doesn't need to be sharp in an image. Your main subject should.
Cheers!

[RichardTaylor]

The original of the above post is here:

Photography Tips For Creating Tack Sharp Shots – PictureCorrect