A photograph can have all sorts of good things, but it’s most important for it to be in sharp focus.Just a small amount of blur can make a picture so-so, no matter how good the lighting, color and subject.

Photographers have somewhat varying opinions on what constitutes a tack sharp picture, but generally, a tack sharp photograph has good, clean lines.The picture will have clear definition, instead of being blurred.

There are several things you can do to increase your chances of getting that coveted tack sharp picture.

Hand-Held Digital Photography Tips

If you’re hand-holding your camera, brace your arms against your sides to help steady the camera.Anti-shake technology such as Vibration Reduction (VR) or Image Stabilzation (IS) lens should be turned on if available.

You can also lean against a wall or tree or whatever sturdy object that’s handy, and help keep yourself and your camera steady.You could also put your camera or lens on some nearby sturdy object to help steady the camera.

Steadying your camera by hooking the strap under your elbow and wrapping the rest around your forearm will also help stabilize the camera and hold it steady in your hand.

Getting those tack sharp photos while hand-holding your camera can be difficult, so to increase your chances of getting that perfect shot, use the burst or continuous shooting mode on your camera to take several shots at once.You have a better chance of one being in sharp focus when taking a series of pictures.

Tripods For Better Focus

There’s no getting around the fact that it’s easier to get a tack sharp photo using a tripod.  You just can’t hold the camera as steady as a tripod will.A tripod is like most things in life, and you get what you pay for.Cheap tripods are helpful, but won’t hold the camera as stil as a more expensive tripod does.The best idea is to buy the best tripod you can afford.

The more expensive tripods don’t come with the head attached.  You have to buy it separately, but that means you get to choose what suits you best.To keep your pictures sharp, buy a quality ballhead for the tripod so the camera won’t slide from side to side.

If you’re somewhere that carrying a tripod just won’t work, beanbags make a nice cushion for cameras in these settings.Sitting the camera on a beanbag will steady it and help you get a sharp picture. It also helps in positioning the camera to get the angle needed for your subject.

To improve your chances of a tack sharp photo even more, use a cable release instead of pressing the shutter.Though it might not seem like much movement, pressing the shutter can cause enough shaking to keep you from getting a tack sharp photo.

If you don’t have a cable release, the self timer will also work.Although you press the shutter, the camera has time to stabilize and steady before actually taking the picture.

More Advanced Digital Photography Secrets For Sharp Shots

If you have a digital SLR camera, there are even more ways to make sure your camera stays steady while taking pictures.

The first is to use mirror lock-up.The camera’s mirror is locked up during picture taking, and doesn’t move until after the picture is taken. That limits the amount of movement inside the camera.You have to press the shutter release button twice on the cable release or remote to take a picture (you surely aren’t going to all this trouble and still pressing the shutter release on your camera are you?).  The first press lifts the mirror and the second press actually takes the picture.

The second method is to turn off the Vibration Reduction or Image Stabilization.Though it sounds counter productive, once a camera is stabilized with the tripod and other methods, the vibration reduction keeps looking for movement.Vibration reduction can actually cause some shaking looking for movement that isn’t there.For best results, turn off any vibration controls when using a tripod, then turn them back on when hand-holding your camera.

One last way to increase the sharpness of your pictures is to have good glass.The lens used makes a considerable difference.You get what you pay for. A quality lens with good glass is expensive, but it’s worth it.Think of it as an investment in great pictures.

Use as many methods as you can to steady your camera, and you’ll have a much better chance of getting those lovely tack sharp photographs.