5 Free Guides That Will Help You Capture Sharper Photos

As photographers, we always strive to capture the sharpest image possible. Unless you deliberately want to capture blur in some form, tack sharp photos are the ones we're after. However, that doesn't happen all the time and we are often left with blurry images despite our best efforts.

Image sharpness gets compromised due to various factors – camera shake arising out of slow shutter speed, improper focusing and lack of consideration to depth of field, and subject movement. You will be more confident capturing sharper images when you have a better understanding of these factors. We have put found 5 free guides that will teach you everything you need to know to capture sharper images.

You can also increase image sharpness in post-processing. It should be the last step in your post-processing workflow, after you've made all other adjustments to your image. If you are looking for a step-by-step post-processing workflow to help you create great-looking photos efficiently and consistently, do check out Kent DuFault's guide on fundamental editing. For now, let's look at these guides to capture the sharpest image in-camera.

1. Avoid Blurry Photographs

There are different types of photography blur and it helps to understand what's unique to each of them so you can identify them. This enables you to avoid them when you encounter them when photographing. This is exactly what photographer Karlo de Leon will teach you in this well-written guide.

2. DSLR Auto Focus Modes Explained

Focusing plays a critical role in creating sharp photos. An understanding of the different focus modes on your camera goes a long way in making sure that your focus is perfect and the image sharp. In this guide, photographer Jason Little will teach you everything you need to know about DSLR autofocus modes.

3. Camera Aperture and Shutter Speed (Video)

Aperture affects the depth of field which determines the region in the photo where it appears acceptably sharp. A slow shutter speed results in camera shake and captures subject movement. In this video tutorial, photographer Jason Row teaches the basics of aperture and shutter speed so you can control them better.

4. A Photographer’s E-Guide to Making Sharp Photographs

In this eBook, photographer Scott Bourne discusses everything you need to know about how to get sharper images and avoid blur. There are sections on gear, light, technique and post processing and tons of useful tips spread through the guide to help you with the topic. Make sure to check it out.

5. 10 Tips for Creating Tack Sharp Photos

As its name says, the guide lists 10 specific tips on creating sharper photographs – some of these tips may be quite obvious but some may be a bit more obscure and worth learning. Do check it out for a fun and educational read – you are sure to learn something new in this guide by Focus Pyramid.

Do You Follow a Post-Processing Workflow?

If you want to get the most out of your photos by utilizing the power of post-processing but do not know where to start, we have a solution for you – The Ultimate Guide to Fundamental Editing. Produced by our friends at Photzy, this best-selling guide gives you a step-by-step post-processing workflow to help you create great-looking photos efficiently and consistently, using popular programs like Lightroom, Elements and Photoshop. Click here now to check it out.