Education
So, you already took a major step toward improving your photography game: you bought a fancy DSLR camera! With the help of that amazing tool, you’ll be able to take stunning high-quality images in no time.
However, buying a fancy camera isn’t all there is to it. Shooting in auto will only take you so far! In order to really take better, sharper photos, it’s crucial that you learn how to use all the features on your camera — and that you avoid some of these most common pitfalls that many people experience when shooting in manual mode.
- Using a slow shutter speed
Using a slow shutter speed without a tripod can cause your images to be blurry. That’s because when you hold the camera it creates camera shake when you’re taking a photo. The slower the shutter speed, the more blurry your photos will be. Use a tripod to stabilize your camera. If you’re trying to capture motion you’ll want to raise your shutter speed. To make sure your photos aren’t blurry, set the shutter speed to at least one over the length of your lens. If you shoot with a 100mm lens, set your camera to a shutter speed of 1/100th of a second or faster. If you zoom in on an area far in the distance or try to capture a subject in motion, raise your shutter speed. - Getting the wrong focus point
Don’t rely on your camera to automatically choose a focus point. You alone know what the most important subject in your image is. Take control and make sure it’s in focus before taking the photo. And remember, if you’re photographing a person, it’s important to get their eyes in focus. - Using a low ISO
Raise your ISO up higher as you have less and less natural light. While you should keep your ISO as low as possible when you’re shooting on a tripod, raise it whenever you’re shooting handheld. You’ll definitely notice a difference in quality.
As you follow these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to benefit more and more from your DSLR camera. Looking to up your photo game even more? Consider taking a beginner photography class to learn more about your DSLR camera and how to take amazing photos. Click here to sign up for our next class.
