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Can I Make a Picture Without Making It Blurry?

Blurry photographs can be caused by a number of factors. The camera may be out of focus, the shutter speed may be too slow to capture a fast moving object, or you may have been moving at the time the picture was taken, causing camera shake. Follow a few guidelines to ensure better results the next time out.

Hold the Camera Correctly
- Hold the camera with your left hand underneath the lens and your right hand firmly grasping the right side of the camera with your finger on the shutter release. Most cameras today have slight molded grip on the right side of the camera to make holding it easier. By using two hands and keeping your elbows close to your body you can minimize camera shake. Just before you take the picture, exhale all of the air out of your lungs and tighten your elbows to your mid-section. This creates a sturdy core. Press the shutter release to take the picture.
Use Correct Shutter Speed
- Look at the shutter speed you are using on your camera. Generally a shutter speed less than 1/125 of a second may result in some motion blur of a slow moving subject. If you are shooting a car race or hockey game, use a much faster shutter speed to freeze the action.
Pre-focus
- Press and hold the shutter release halfway down to pre-focus your camera. The auto focusing systems in today's cameras rely on contrasting colors or brightness to focus correctly, and, in some situations, it may be best to pre-focus. Direct the camera towards the subject, press the shutter release halfway, and, when you're ready to the take the picture, press the shutter release the rest of the way.
Use Mono or Tripod
- For long telephoto lenses or long shutter speed, consider using a tripod or mono-pod to stabilize your camera. In some instances, such as night shooting, or when attempting to take a macro picture, you will need a sturdy tripod to keep the camera very still during the exposure.

Photography