Getting Shots Tack Sharp

kirbym2 · Aug 12, 2011

Hi All,

In your view, what is the key here? Is it all in the shutter speed? Is there a minimum shutter speed I should be using? I have a Nikon 50mm 1.4, and a Tamron 17-50 2.8, and I'm still struggling to get tack sharp. I know I've mentioned in other threads that I'm often working indoors, and it is difficult to get a good exposure without reducing the shutter speed below 1/focal length of lens. Would I be best to set my shutter at 1/focal length, and increase iso until I get the correct exposure, or simply use the flash. I love a tack sharp photo (especially the eyes) just as much as the next guy (or girl)

. If I open the lens wide, my DOF is far to shallow, and I still don't end up with the result I'm looking for.

I'm always resistant to use the flash, I find that many of my images where I'm using it (sb600 on camera), it looks obvious. Any technique tips on this end?

Thanks!

Stradawhovious · Aug 12, 2011

Provided your camera is properly focusing on your subject, I have found that the following works best for me.

1. Single point AF mode. Provides the least amount of confusion for the camera. Place the center focal point on your subject (eyes), lock on focus, recompose, snap away.

2. Adequate shutter speed. I like to go for FLx2. For your 50mm that would translate to a shutter speed of at least 1/100.

3. Use an aperture that is in your lens' "sweet spot". Wide open will always be soft. For my nifty fifty the sweet spot is between f/5.6 and f/8.

If you are using a flash on the camera (SB-600) consider a modifier. I made one of there....

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...959-another-diy-thread-strad-bounce-card.html

And use it frequently.

KmH · Aug 12, 2011

Tack sharp focus is a achieved by a combination of things. I wrote a blog article that covers them: How to Get Sharply Focused Images

DiskoJoe · Aug 12, 2011

how about some test shots for examples for us to rake over the coals?

mwcfarms · Aug 12, 2011

Keith I have read your blog post before on that but find it really pertains too still life shots, landscapes and such where you can utilizie a tripod. I'm thinking the op is looking for something gear more towards getting tack sharp shots with portraiture.

Destin · Aug 12, 2011

Good camera holding technique is also very important.

kirbym2 · Aug 12, 2011

Here's a shot of my little one... I lightened it in PP, so there are certainly other issues with it... but specifically around sharpness, I'd welcome your thoughts...

1.

Sofia by McFlickr81, on Flickr

kirbym2 · Aug 12, 2011

Destin said:
Good camera holding technique is also very important.

Any tips around this... I'd like to think I hold the camera well, but hey, you never know

Stradawhovious · Aug 12, 2011

You need more light. Your pic is very underexposed, especially if you've already lightened it. Get that SB-600 rockin' either ln or off your camera. Use a modifier either way.

kirbym2 · Aug 12, 2011

I figured as much... And this was shot wide open in a room with the lights on... I guess I'll have to buckle down and learn how to use my flash on a regular basis. Thanks for the feedback!

Destin · Aug 12, 2011

kirbym2 said:
Destin said:

Good camera holding technique is also very important.

Click to expand...

Any tips around this... I'd like to think I hold the camera well, but hey, you never know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDsx3-FWfwk

Joe Mcnally explains it better than I could...

Stradawhovious · Aug 12, 2011

Your profile says you are shooting a D7000.

Buy/make a modifier for that SB-600 (or bounce it), get it off the camera, and use that cameras built in commander mode to trigger the flash remotely.

Indoors it works like a champ. you can set the popup flash to setting "-/-" which will trigger the SB-600 and not flash the subject so the SB-600 will be your only light source (technically).

It's really damn slick. Read your manual to find out more.

KmH · Aug 12, 2011

mwcfarms said:
Keith I have read your blog post before on that but find it really pertains too still life shots, landscapes and such where you can utilizie a tripod. I'm thinking the op is looking for something gear more towards getting tack sharp shots with portraiture.

One can mix and match the techiques and tools I note in that article to suit the situation.

mrpink · Aug 12, 2011

Keiths first sig line says it all. Read it over and apply it.

p!nK

manaheim · Aug 12, 2011

1. Buy a really expensive lens.
2. Put it on your camera.
3. Shoot!

I'm kidding, though it is true that good glass=better optics=sharper pictures.

That said, everything everyone else said also has an effect... one of my sharpest pictures was taken with a piece of garbage 28-100 3.5/5.6 lens. I used a tripod, used an aperture that is ideal (most lenses this is 2 stops down from max aperture), set it to it's sweet spot focal length (most lenses this is about 1/3-1/2 way zoomed in), etc. If you wanna go seriously mental you can also lock up the mirror before opening the shutter and sandbag your tripod... but really... that's a bit extreme.

I do that when I do night photography though.

btw, that sharp pic I mentioned...

It's not quite as sharp as some I've taken with my better glass, but it's interesting to illustrate just how much you can do with crappy glass and proper technique.