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How to Get Sharper Photos "In Camera" (4 Days to Sharper Photos)

By Gayle Vehar on August 11, 2020 | No Comments

how to take sharp photos

How to Get Sharper Photos In-Camera

Day 1 of "4 Days to Sharper Photos"

As photographers, it is a given that we all want sharper photos straight from the camera.  But we don’t always know exactly what to do to get those sharper photos.  This series of blog posts will help you get sharper photos from the moment you press the shutter button -- no waiting to try and fix it later in Lightroom!

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1. Make Sure Your Focus in the Right Place

The first place the viewer of an image almost always looks is the subject's eyes. Eyes are drawn to eyes!  If the eyes of the subject in your photo aren’t sharp or the focus falls on something other than the eyes, your photograph will probably NOT be as appealing.

So, if you are photographing an individual, 99% of the time your focus should be on their eyes!

how to get sharp photos

2. Your Camera & Focus

Camera’s are great at a lot of things.  Their capabilities have continuously improved over the years.  But the one thing your camera can’t do is read your mind!

Your camera can certainly GUESS at what you are trying to focus on but that is all it can do - guess!  Your camera might get it right sometimes, too.  But what if it doesn’t on the ONE PERFECT SHOT that you got at your photo session or that sweet image you captured of your child.

Focus can't truly be fixed in Lightroom, Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.  You can make adjustments there, but IT CAN’T BE FIXED!

You have to get FOCUS right in the first place - "In-Camera"!

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3. Choosing Your Focus

This is why I recommend choosing your focus point.  In order to do this, you will need to change your focus mode to Single-Servo (for still subjects) or Continuous-Servo (for moving subjects) Auto-Focus on Nikon and One-Shot Auto-Focus on Canon.

Next, you will need to change your AF- Area Mode to Single Point Auto-Focus.  This will allow you to select the point you want in focus.

You will need to read through your camera manual to learn how to change these settings and exactly WHAT your particular camera calls each of these modes.

how to take sharp photos with dslr

4. Auto-Focus NOT Manual Focus

One last point.  Many people get confused when photographers preach the wonders of shooting in manual mode.  I love manual mode too!

BUT, shooting in manual DOES NOT mean you are manual focusing each shot!

Manual mode means that you are choosing your aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

Personally, I use auto-focus for 95% of my photos.  

The only time I change to manual focus is when the lighting conditions are such that my camera is having a really difficult time focusing on my subject (low light situations or extreme backlight situations) or when I am shooting macro shots!

how to take sharp portraits

CLICK HERE TO INSTANTLY DOWNLOAD OUR SHARPER PHOTOS CHEAT SHEET BELOW!

how to get sharp photos

Previous Posts in Our "4 Days to Sharper Photos Series":

Day 2. Understanding Depth of Field & Shutter Speed (4 Days to Sharper Photos)

Day 3. Find Good Light & Use a Good Lens (4 Days to Sharper Photos)

Day 4. Sharpening in Lightroom (4 Days to Sharper Photos)

Do you have any questions or comments about How to Sharper Photos in Camera?   Leave us a comment below - we would love to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!

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Pretty Presets for Lightroom author Gayle Vehar

Gayle Vehar

Lightroom Instructor

Hi!! I am Gayle. I am a wife to my handsome husband and mom to 4 beautiful kids. In my spare time, I am a photographer and blogger at Mom and Camera. I have a passion for sharing my love of photography with others. I teach local photography classes and regularly share photography tips and tricks on my blog. I hang out there a lot—I’d love you to stop by and visit!

August 11, 2020

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