Preventing Blurry Pictures

Using a tripod whenever possible is usually a good idea for getting the sharpest pictures possible.  Unfortunately using a tripod is not the only thing necessary for pictures to be their sharpest.  There are a couple common reasons that  movement blur is introduced into pictures when using a tripod.

The reason that is hardest to control is movement of the subject while the shutter is open.  Sports photographers will often photograph subjects at 1/500th of a second or faster to minimize motion blur from the players running, but that often requires a very shallow depth of field or a high ISO.  But what about when you need to use a low ISO and a smaller aperture?  As many nature photographers know, sometimes the best thing to do it try again another day.  If you have some control over your subject you may be able to freeze the movement with your flash, but this will require additional equipment then you may have planned on using.

Bumping the tripod is another common reason for the picture ending up blurry.  These are two pictures I took with everything the same, the only difference is I bumped the tripod while the shutter was open during one of the pictures.

When I was taking the picture on the left I bumped the tripod, causing the blur.  They are about one second exposures so in both pictures it is critical to use a tripod and not to bump it.

The third common reason for motion blur when you are shooting with a tripod is pushing the release.  For you readers that was in the military or have done a lot of shooting this is a problem you are probably very familiar with.  Taking a picture  is much like firing a rifle, when it comes to the release.  When you press the button to take a picture you want to do so in a smooth controlled manner.  Stabbing at the button with your finger, or pushing fast will move the camera just enough to create a slight blur many times.  The correct way is to squeeze the shutter release is to be firm, yet controlled.  The way it was described to me is squeeze the release the same way you would squeeze a baby’s hand, gentle and controlled.  Also you only want to be squeezing with the finger touching the release, not your whole hand.

So while tripods are great and should be used for stock photos whenever possible, pictures may still have some motion blur.  Pay attention to these three things though and the number of pictures that are blurry should be much lower.

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Filed under: photo gear

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