Tips for Tack-Sharp Images
Shoot Above f/2.
Yes, apertures above f/2 and f/2.8 do exist—and they photograph on film beautifully!
The smaller your aperture number, the smaller your depth of field. When shooting at f/2 or f/2.8, your depth of field is quite shallow. As such, while your subject’s nose might be tack sharp, their eyes will likely fall out of focus. To get a larger depth of field (and see both eyes and nose) try stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6. We promise you will still see beautiful bokeh!
Pro Tip: Shooting a large group? Consider stopping down to f/8 for even more depth of field, so all those happy faces will be in focus.
Jen Dillender / Fuji400H / Contax645
Use a Tripod or Monopod.
The best photographers know when they need to use tools, of any kind, and use them. Very few photographers can shoot handheld below a 1/60 shutter speed and still achieve a crisp image. Though it may not seem like it at first, cameras get heavy! And blurry images do not make for happy clients.
Trust us—tripods, coupled with a quick-release L-Bracket, will not hamper your shooting style or your connection with clients. Rather, they’ll allow you to shoot at slow shutter speeds long after the sun has set or capture darker scenes indoors crisply, using only window light.
Monopods are a sweet deal, too, because they are relatively inexpensive and extremely lightweight. It’s super easy to clip them to your bag and haul them onsite.
Pro Tip: You can even find tripods with a built-in monopod (!) where one of the legs can detach.
Both tripods and monopods can be the determining factor in reducing camera shake, avoiding blurry images and nailing your focus.
Mason Neufeld loves her tripod.
Adjust Your Diopter.
This is a quick and easy step that, if forgotten, can lead to a slew of blurry images. You can learn how to adjust your camera’s diopter by reading your camera manual.
Consider Using a Macro Filter.
Looking to get up close and personal with your clients or detail shots? Try using a macro filter. Hoya makes great macro filters and they are far cheaper than buying a dedicated macro lens. Macro filters allow you to get quite close to your subject, all while maintaining focus!
Pro Tip: It is important to stop down when shooting macro work. The closer you are to your subject, the narrower your depth of field will be (smaller distance = smaller DOF). To compensate for this, stop down further than you think. Even f/11 will still yield a shallow depth of field and a beautiful bokeh.
Brian D Smith / Portra 400
Move Your Feet!
To keep active clients in focus as they move across your frame, move with them at their speed! Here’s how:
- Start by focusing on your subjects before they start moving.
- Next, ask your client to do their movement at “half speed,” whether that is walking, running or dancing!
- Move with your clients, at their speed, keeping yourself the same distance away from them as when you first set your focal point. Presto! Crisp, action imagery.
Erich McVey / Fuji400H / Contax 645