blurred hands, what to do?

[mmaria]

Love the colors in this photo... and that's about it
I'm so angry at myself because I ruined every photo I took in this particular place! He was there for a minute and I missed his genuine smile, didn't get my settings right, everything I did I did wrong. I was so in a rush to get a photo that I kept pressing my shutter non stop and not being still myself, which I usually don't do. Usually I don't click non stop, I think and wait for the right moment.
I can blame my camera limitations for a fair amount of time, but this is just and only my fault.
His eyes are slightly out of focus, but is it in acceptable range? My mind goes: No it is not, you should toss the photo! my heart goes: Yes, it can be acceptable.
The second biggest issue is his blurred hands.
My question here is not just for this image (it's just a sample) but in general, for images with slightly blurred hands when everything more important (eyes) are tack sharp. I've seen some portfolios having this kind of photos in it. Acceptable or not?
I do mind it in my photographs and I delete everything with that kind of blurriness (too slow shutter speed kind) in OOF part of a photo. But every once in a while I like the photo and I don't want to delete it.

 

[kay1547]

(too slow shutter speed kind)

you answered your own question. the shutter speed was to slow to freeze the action.
if your lens is not fast enough and you find yourself using slow shutter speeds to draw in enough light, use a flash, even at slow shutter speeds like 1/60 or even 1/30 the intense light will stop a lot of that blurred movement.

 

[mmaria]

Ok, my bad,I wasn't clear enough, should write the title Blurred hands, acceptable or not?
With the title "Blurred hands, what to do?" I meant, to toss the photo with that kind of blurriness or not? I know what to do in terms of the settings to avoid that issue, but my question was about the situation when I did wrong with the settings but still want to keep the picture. Are the blurred hands acceptable or not?
Hope I was clear enough now.

 

[sashbar]

The main problem here is cut off hands. Chopped off fingers is enough to toss the the photo. Blur here is of secondary importance. But again, it is your photo and if you like it keep it. You are not a pro working for a client, so you are not obliged to have perfect images. So go with your heart. Just do not show it to anyone, especially photographers

 

[kay1547]

Ok, my bad,I wasn't clear enough, should write the title Blurred hands, acceptable or not?
With the title "Blurred hands, what to do?" I meant, to toss the photo with that kind of blurriness or not? I know what to do in terms of the settings to avoid that issue, but my question was about the situation when I did wrong with the settings but still want to keep the picture. Are the blurred hands acceptable or not?
Hope I was clear enough now.

you shouldn't need our opinion on a photo of you child. its for you, keep it, im sure the 2MB isn't killing your hard drive
for me, my kids pics are priceless and you will never ever get the opportunity to capture them again at that age. I'll only delete what i know i'll never want to look at again. this photo if you have to ask us, it seems you like it enough so keep it.

the face is sharp enough, you can clearly tell he is playing, thats what kids do. sometimes motion just works in pics, don't over think this. its not a picture to be judged by the world, just you.

 

[mmaria]

The main problem here is cut off hands. Chopped off fingers is enough to toss the the photo. Blur here is of secondary importance. But again, it is your photo and if you like it keep it. You are not a pro working for a client, so you are not obliged to have perfect images. So go with your heart. Just do not show it to anyone, especially photographers

yeah as I said, I did everything wrong with this image.

kay1547, very nice of you, thanks!

And, in general, with other subjects, not just my kids and not just this image? I posted it as an sample. When is it or is it not ever acceptable to have blurred hands? Not this much blur of course.
I don't just shoot my kids.

 

[sashbar]

The main problem here is cut off hands. Chopped off fingers is enough to toss the the photo. Blur here is of secondary importance. But again, it is your photo and if you like it keep it. You are not a pro working for a client, so you are not obliged to have perfect images. So go with your heart. Just do not show it to anyone, especially photographers

yeah as I said, I did everything wrong with this image.

kay1547, very nice of you, thanks!

And, in general, with other subjects, not just my kids and not just this image? I posted it as an sample. When is it or is it not ever acceptable to have blurred hands? Not this much blur of course
I don't just shoot my kids.

I think more established photogs will give you a better advise, but as far as I am concerned , blur is one of creative tools that serve a particular purpose. Most of the time it is underlining the motion, but not only that. There could be some creative use of blur / slow shutter speed, it can be used to isolate the main subject/focus with shallow depth of field. But in any case there is a purpose, it has to be creatively justified, and you as a photographer has to know exactly why it is there. Otherwise it is a defect. How much blur is acceptable is entirely your own judgement. There are cases when an occasional blur creates a desirable effect, but it is very rare. If you want to know more about blur and how to deal with it I would recommend The Low Light Photography by Michael Freeman. It is not easy to digest, but you will have a pretty good idea of how demanding good photographers are in this area and how you can cure some minor blur with various software. Hope it helps.

 

[sashbar]

The main problem here is cut off hands. Chopped off fingers is enough to toss the the photo. Blur here is of secondary importance. But again, it is your photo and if you like it keep it. You are not a pro working for a client, so you are not obliged to have perfect images. So go with your heart. Just do not show it to anyone, especially photographers

yeah as I said, I did everything wrong with this image.

Nope, if your heart says 'keep it' there is something you did right. Technical side is important but you should not judge an image entirely by how good it technically is. Some technically poor shots have tremendous emotional, personal or family value. As I said you are not a pro, so you are in a very privileged position: if you personally like your photo and it has some value to you personally, you can tell all your critics to sod off. They are not your clients. A lot of Cartier-Bresson images could be considered technically poor by today's formal standards, nevertheless any museum would gladly take them, because they have tremendous value for the humankind. You are not HCB, but your family is your humankind.

 

[mmaria]

I think more established photogs will give you a better advise, but as far as I am concerned , blur is one of creative tools that serve a particular purpose. Most of the time it is underlining the motion, but not only that. There could be some creative use of blur / slow shutter speed, it can be used to isolate the main subject/focus with shallow depth of field. But in any case there is a purpose, it has to be creatively justified, and you as a photographer has to know exactly why it is there. Otherwise it is a defect. How much blur is acceptable is entirely your own judgement. There are cases when an occasional blur creates a desirable effect, but it is very rare. If you want to know more about blur and how to deal with it I would recommend The Low Light Photography by Michael Freeman. It is not easy to digest, but you will have a pretty good idea of how demanding good photographers are in this area and how you can cure some minor blur with various software. Hope it helps.

Exactly what you've said.
I don't understand creative use of blur when taking photos of people and that's why I delete every photo with it. I see it as my fault because it is my fault not to choose settings properly. ( and my camera is very bad at any lighting situation that is not ideal and I'm constantly making some compromises when shooting. I don't use a flash and have no desire to use it.... upgrading in a few months. and learning learning)...That is when shooting people...
I've just read some reviews on that book. When I was learning about landscapes, particularly waterfalls, I was learning how to fix the blur on leaves f.e. too, in pp. Did you mean something like that?

Nope, if your heart says 'keep it' there is something you did right. Technical side is important but you should not judge an image entirely by how good it technically is. Some technically poor shots have tremendous emotional, personal or family value. As I said you are not a pro, so you are in a very privileged position: if you personally like your photo and it has some value to you personally, you can tell all your critics to sod off. They are not your clients. A lot of Cartier-Bresson images could be considered technically poor by today's formal standards, nevertheless any museum would gladly take them, because they have tremendous value for the humankind. You are not HCB, but your family is your humankind.

I live in a small town. Two so-called professional photographers, but really so called. If I was at home now I would post a photo from my wedding for you to see their work. When I asked a particular question to one of them about their camera he answered me about megapixels, not that I asked him about MP.
So, when people here see my camera it is a professional camera to them (an oly e520 and a 12-60mm ZD lens !?) or some of my photos they go: wow would you take a picture of my kids? please!!!just one!please! and I go:but... and they go: please!!! and I go: :er: :scratch: :???: and they go: please, please! and I go: well....ok.
When they get the pictures they are so grateful, so pleased with them, they print them in large sizes, and I... well sometimes I'm satisfied and that is ok. But sometimes I get the great expression but there are some technical issues and I have trouble to decide should I send them those images or not? As you stated I'm not a pro but I have some criteria for myself and my conscience just wont let me to send them some photos. and that's what is bugging me.
As for them, they don't care if their child has a blurred hand, catchlights in a wrong position, blown out detail behind them somewhere etc... in a fact, they don't even notice that.
I know that I'm going to keep this particular picture because it is my child. I wouldn't send it if it was someone else child, there is just to many issues with it.
having problems with the net...

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Sometimes blurred movement adds something to the image. I do it on purpose all the time. But I think the movement needs to tell something. The shot you posted shows more like an error IMO. Maybe if he was throwing a ball or something it is a different story.

 

[sashbar]

I think more established photogs will give you a better advise, but as far as I am concerned , blur is one of creative tools that serve a particular purpose. Most of the time it is underlining the motion, but not only that. There could be some creative use of blur / slow shutter speed, it can be used to isolate the main subject/focus with shallow depth of field. But in any case there is a purpose, it has to be creatively justified, and you as a photographer has to know exactly why it is there. Otherwise it is a defect. How much blur is acceptable is entirely your own judgement. There are cases when an occasional blur creates a desirable effect, but it is very rare. If you want to know more about blur and how to deal with it I would recommend The Low Light Photography by Michael Freeman. It is not easy to digest, but you will have a pretty good idea of how demanding good photographers are in this area and how you can cure some minor blur with various software. Hope it helps.

Exactly what you've said.
I don't understand creative use of blur when taking photos of people and that's why I delete every photo with it. I see it as my fault because it is my fault not to choose settings properly. ( and my camera is very bad at any lighting situation that is not ideal and I'm constantly making some compromises when shooting. I don't use a flash and have no desire to use it.... upgrading in a few months. and learning learning)...That is when shooting people...
I've just read some reviews on that book. When I was learning about landscapes, particularly waterfalls, I was learning how to fix the blur on leaves f.e. too, in pp. Did you mean something like that?

Nope, if your heart says 'keep it' there is something you did right. Technical side is important but you should not judge an image entirely by how good it technically is. Some technically poor shots have tremendous emotional, personal or family value. As I said you are not a pro, so you are in a very privileged position: if you personally like your photo and it has some value to you personally, you can tell all your critics to sod off. They are not your clients. A lot of Cartier-Bresson images could be considered technically poor by today's formal standards, nevertheless any museum would gladly take them, because they have tremendous value for the humankind. You are not HCB, but your family is your humankind.

I live in a small town. Two so-called professional photographers, but really so called. If I was at home now I would post a photo from my wedding for you to see their work. When I asked a particular question to one of them about their camera he answered me about megapixels, not that I asked him about MP.
So, when people here see my camera it is a professional camera to them (an oly e520 and a 12-60mm ZD lens !?) or some of my photos they go: wow would you take a picture of my kids? please!!!just one!please! and I go:but... and they go: please!!! and I go: :er: :scratch: :???: and they go: please, please! and I go: well....ok.
When they get the pictures they are so grateful, so pleased with them, they print them in large sizes, and I... well sometimes I'm satisfied and that is ok. But sometimes I get the great expression but there are some technical issues and I have trouble to decide should I send them those images or not? As you stated I'm not a pro but I have some criteria for myself and my conscience just wont let me to send them some photos. and that's what is bugging me.
As for them, they don't care if their child has a blurred hand, catchlights in a wrong position, blown out detail behind them somewhere etc... in a fact, they don't even notice that.
I know that I'm going to keep this particular picture because it is my child. I wouldn't send it if it was someone else child, there is just to many issues with it.
having problems with the net...

Wow, with just two hopeless photogs in your town and so many clients at your door I would have given it a seriuos thought! Do not tell znyone here what town it is
To me there is a clear line between doing it for free for your friends/neighbours and selling your images. If people love your pictures even if you have your own higher criteria - I see no problem here. But if you doing it as a businees or with an idea of a future business, then it is a completely different ball game. That's where you need to stick to your criteria.
When I started not long ago, I had a lot of problems with blur, because I was unwilling to cranck up the ISO, I did not trust my camera enough. I wanted to avoid noise. But the result was blur that was worse than any high ISO noise. Try your camera at different high ISO levels and learn where noise is more visible (dark shadows etc), also try shooting your kid with longer shutter speed and find your limit at different apperture and distance, and then you will know your best exposure in terms of ISO/Shutter speed. The only way to improve - is to try.
As for "creative blur" - I will post one of my pictures here with your permission. It has some horrible blur, that was not my creative thinking at all, just the wrong exposure. Nobody likes this picture, but I love it, because I was there, I saw them and I know that this pic translates the atmosphere of that street cafe better than any other sharp one that I made that day. Each time I see this image I feel that heat and hear that latin beat. So - is it a bad photo or a good photo? Is it creative or just pathetic? Is it a lucky one or one for the bin? What do you think?
As I said, I am not a pro, I am not selling images. I am doing it for my own pleasure. I decide. So it is a keeper. :thumbup:

 

[cynicaster]

Why not just crop out the blurred hands?

 

[astroNikon]

make a collage of various facial expressions/photos. 3 or 4 on a 8x10 instead of just one.
It's your memories of him

 

[paigew]

In that instance I think the blurred hands detract from the photo. I love the crop that was done by cynicaster. Photoshoots are hard, stressful, and there is a lot of pressure to get all the right shots very fast! I think this shot is 'acceptable'. If this is where you are in your journey and represents your work. It is a perfectly fine photo Mom will love it.

*edit to add: yes, I often keep imperfect photos :heart:

 

[mmaria]

Sometimes blurred movement adds something to the image. I do it on purpose all the time. But I think the movement needs to tell something. The shot you posted shows more like an error IMO. Maybe if he was throwing a ball or something it is a different story

your photos are gone... but luckily I've seen them on my mobile Thanks, I did learn about that kind of blur but I'm not there yet, simply don't comprehend it enough to introduce it in my photography.

Wow, with just two hopeless photogs in your town and so many clients at your door I would have given it a seriuos thought! Do not tell znyone here what town it is

Well with amount of people approaching to me, it could be worthy But I 20 days ago I got a job in engineering field. My heart is not there,but have to pay bills...

Try your camera

Believe me, I've tried it in every way possible. We're together for about 6 years now.

Why not just crop out the blurred hands?

omg, I didn't even think of square crop here thanks, I like it

make a collage of various facial expressions/photos. 3 or 4 on a 8x10 instead of just one.
It's your memories of him

Done

*edit to add: yes, I often keep imperfect photos :heart:

I have tones of crappy photos of my kids and every once in a while I delete some, but there is still many many waiting for my decision to leave it or delete it

Thank you guys!