One of the most popular questions I receive is “How do you get your photos so sharp?”. If you are shooting something stationary then my number one advice would be to use a tripod but my guess is you are shooting moving objects like kids, dogs, or husbands so you need to figure out how to get sharp photos without a tripod.
1. You need a good lens. I hate to break it to you but a kit lens (the one that came with your camera) just isn’t as sharp as others. That being said, you shouldn’t rely on your equipment to take sharp photos. Just because you have a super expensive lens doesn’t mean you are going to get sharp photos if you don’t know how to use it. The same thing can be said for a kit lens, if you use it right you can get some sharp photos.
2. Make sure your shutter speed is AT LEAST 1/125. I know we talked about this when we discussed shooting in manual mode but it can’t be said enough. If you are photographing a moving subject you need to stay above 1/125. I have even read some people say they don’t go below 1/250 if they are photographing kids. However, sometimes the lighting isn’t in my favor to shoot that fast. Personally, I don’t go below 1/125 if I’m shooting my kids.
ss 1/640, ISO 100, f 6.3
I should have lowered my aperture number so I could have increased my shutter speed.
Notice how low the shutter speed is which caused her to not be as sharp - ss 1/50, ISO 100, f5.0
3. Lock your elbows. Since you don’t have time to set up your shots for a tripod you need to be your own tripod. Lock your elbows as close to your body as possible.
4. Hold your breath. I have read that snipers hold their breath when they pull the trigger. Use this theory. If you hold your breath when you take your shot you are less likely to move. You would be surprised how a subtle movement on your part can cause a blurry picture.
5. Don’t shoot wide open. I am a huge fan of shooting wide open but you need to figure out your lens and become very comfortable with nailing your focus. If you shoot wide open (at a low number like f1.8) you are more likely to have your focal point fall on something other than the eye or whatever you are focusing on because you have such a small field in focus.
ss 1/160, ISO 100, f2.8
6. Press your shutter release button softly. You don’t need to push your shutter release button very hard. The harder you push the button the more likely you are having accidental camera shake blur your photo. Be gentle :O)
7. Use back button focusing. I talked about this on Monday but I can’t say it enough. Using this added feature to get sharper photos can only improve your photos.
8. Change your focal point. If you leave your focal point on the center button then only the center of your photo will be sharp. This isn’t a good thing unless the person’s eye is in the middle of the photo (which isn’t a very interesting composition). Make sure you change your focal point so that the focus is on your subject’s eye.
I hope these tips can help you improve the sharpness of your photos. Please don’t rely on post-processing to “sharpen” your photos. This is definitely something you need to nail in camera. Practice, practice, practice!
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Courtney Slazinik
@clickitupanotch
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At Click it Up a Notch you will find tips and tricks to improve your photos one click at a time. 
I can’t thank you enough for sharing this. I’m going to pay extra attention to my shutter speed this week!
Such great advice. Thank you so much! xo
These are wonderful tips – I don’t mess with my focal points (prefer to compose/recompose) but everything you just said makes a huge difference. I just need to learn how to back focus…that would help even more!
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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Yes, I hear that is an extremely popular practice with Canon users :O)
I, too, need to learn to back focus. I must start practicing.
I have got to start saving moo-lah for a lens. I took some photos this week of 4 kids under 2. I struggled with focus to say the very least.
My question is how do I know the SS is 1/125 when I am looking through the viewfinder? Do you just snap the shot, then look at the SS, lowering the aperture if the SS is to slow? I tend to struggle to do all of it when I am in the moment trying to capture something.
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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You should be able to view what your shutter speed is when you are looking through your viewfinder. In my camera it is in the lower left hand corner when looking through my view finder. Depending on what type of shot I want I either lower the aperture number or raise my ISO. Don’t worry, the more you practice the easier it will be for your fingers to do all the work for you :O)
Twitter: Heathymom
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I love your tips!
I changed my setters to back button focusing and love it!
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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YAY!!
Twitter: kg_photography
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Great post! Thanks for sharing these tips. I have most of them down, but it’s so nice to get a reminder. I’m still amazed at the steps that I go through to get a great shot. They’re becoming second nature, but whenever I explain what I’m doing, I’m amazed that I’m picking this up.
Love your blog! It’s crazy helpful!
I will be referring to this post often! This is in my top 3 of annoying problems that I have. I think it’s my shutter speed mostly . . .
Thanks Courtney!
Great tips. I tried the back button focusing a little, I need to practice more. It took a little bit to get used to.
This is a great post, Courtney! Thank you for all of this information. It is true, you often take such sharp photos.
Awesome..I’m going to keep in mind some of your tips, some I already used, yay me!
I do have to tell you I’ve been struggling with moving my focus points. One reason is because things/people are moving. Any suggestions on how you manage that with your face pressed against the LCD screen? 
I have to agree with Ashley, at this point I’m extremely comfortable focusing and then recomposing.
~ingrid
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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If that is what you are comfortable doing and you are getting the results you want then GREAT! I know a lot of Canon people prefer to do it that way. Personally, I have better luck changing my focal point. I just move the toggle button with my thumb while my eye is still looking through the view finder. Lots of practice I guess :O) Do what works best for you and gets you the best results :O)
Thank you for sharing this, I always seem to forget something and it makes my pictures not quite as crisp, thanks for the reminder!
I finally had 2 seconds to myself – LOL! I LOVE your blog! Not only am I loving the tons of inspiration, your tutorials are wonderful. I’m trying to read all I can. Just added you to my RSS feed and I can’t wait to see more. (I sent you a quick email on my way out the door earlier today…hope that came thru. Thanks again for your sweet comment). Great to e-meet you!
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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I know the feeling :O) Thanks for your kind words!! I’ll go check that email!
Thanks for the great tips! It seems I will have to invest in a better camera sooner than later. I just have a regular canon powershot. Looking at all your beautiful shots and what you can do gives me a serious case of camera envy.
I have an extremely important how-to-take-sharp-pictures tip. First, wipe off the smudgy fingerprints your toddler left on the lens.
ok, confession time – I’ve never considered how “aggressively” i’m pressing the shutter button – thanks so much!!
Twitter: skyefillmore
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Wow! I found your blog through Paper Heart Blog … All I can say is wow! Your blog stands out because you seem to really describe in detail how things work! I am learning Manual mode and just found this post – love love love it! I am practicing the back button AF – what an amazing thing LOL! ANd I love moving the focal point too. Thanks for sharing and you’ve got me as a follower for sure!
Skye
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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Aww, thanks and welcome!! I love BBF!! Let me know if you have any questions :O)
Yep I just ame across your bog too.. and love all the tips. I put my amera to bak button lok, still trying to get the hang of it… but as long as my shots of more in focus it is worth it.
liz recently posted..A Couple More Days In Florida
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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Yay! So glad to hear you are giving back button focusing a try!! Hope you see a difference in your shots!! and Welcome!!!
Twitter: xsbaggageandco
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New fan here!! I bought a ‘new to me’ Canon 30D just before Christmas, after my Canon PowerShot S3IS died. (I have to have a camera for product shots of the Laptop and E-Reader sleeves I make and sell online). Anyways, I’ve been quite intimidated by my new camera and resorted to using my phone for the shots I need. Yesterday I was determined to not sew another stitch until I sat down and learned how to use this camera. Thankfully (!) I found your blog and the way you explain things is genius! Today I took new products shots that I’m actually pleased with! I know I have a long way to go and a lot more to learn, but I just wanted to thank you for all of the instruction you offer here. I’ll be a regular visitor now!
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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Yay! I’m so glad to hear that you are getting better product shots!! Whoo hoo!! Welcome!! What is your shop web address??
Twitter: xsbaggageandco
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Thank you Courtney. My shop address is http://www.etsy.com/shop/XSBaggageandCo. The photos that I took with my new camera, after reading your blog, are the 3 iPad Sleeves made with ‘Green Chevron’ fabric.
Thank you again!!
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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Those photos of the Green Chevron looks awesome!! Way to go!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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P.S. do you ship to APO’s? I saw a key chain thing I want :O) It’s same shipping price as in the States you would just need to fill out a customs form. Thanks!
Thank you so much for all your advice and tips!! I am new to your website and I love it! My question is about “nailing your focus” with a 50mm f/1.8. You said you have to become very comfortable with nailing your focus if you’re going to shoot wide open. 1.) How do you learn how to do that? and 2.) What f-stop do you recommend for individual portraits, if not 1.8? Thanks, again!
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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I think the best way to become comfortable is practice and more practice. I know, probably not the advice you want. But honestly, that is the best way to learn how to do anything in photography. Don’t feel like you can’t shoot wide open just don’t do it all the time. For individual portraits, I like to shoot around f/2.2 all the way up to f/2.8. That is if only one person is in the image. Hope this helps!!! Oh, and WELCOME!!! :O)
Twitter: bihar
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Good tips here. I am not a real taker of photos but I can do with some tips. I did not realise about the shutter speed and aperture number, that’s very interesting.
Shalu Sharma recently posted..Six Basic Photography Tips for India
Twitter: clickitupanotch
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Glad you found some useful tips!