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The Secret to Ultra-Sharp Photos

I really have to get back to posting every day if I can… anyways, today’s tip comes one again from the Digital Photography School Blog provided by Jim M. Goldstein.

These days digital cameras simplify not only your ability to see what you’re focusing on, but they also give you an immediate view of your photo enabling you to move on to your next photo or to try again. As great as these features are consistently getting sharp photos can still be a challenge.

I know I’ve been frustrated a few times with the lack of sharpness - sure the Unsharpen Mask in Photoshop helps with most images, but is that the real answer?

Whether you’re using film or digital cameras the optics of lenses hasn’t changed as optics are all about math and physics. Don’t worry I don’t want to talk math or physics any more than you want to read about it, but there is a key principle that every photographer should be aware of and that is hyperfocal distance.

Sounds pretty technical!

The short and sweet tip for those using shorter focal length lenses is to focus 1/3 of the way into your photo with a smaller aperture setting to maximize your depth of field.

Note for longer focal length lenses like telephoto lenses this principle still applies, but it becomes less of a factor for most people given the types of subjects photographed with these lenses are generally less foreground-centric.

A bit easier to swallow… anyways check out the rest of the article over at DPS - great little read, as well as links to a Depth of Field calculator and a chart you can download for use in the field!

Tags: depth of focus, dof, DPS, jim goldstein, jim m. goldstein, sharpness, tip

02 Jul 08 | DPS, Tips | Read on | Comments (2)

12 Ways To Never Miss A Photo Opportunity

Great article over at the Digital Photography School blog (as always) by San Francisco based photographer Jim M. Goldstein. Some good tips!

Have a camera bag that enables you to easily and quickly access your camera

Be sure to have not just (1) one fully charged battery but (2) two

Be sure to clean the front and rear elements of your lens to minimize spots (optionally cleaning your camera sensor)

Before heading out make sure you have CF cards in your camera that are empty or have lots of free space

Pre-set your camera settings for the type of subject you’re aiming to photograph

If you have a camera with image stabilization or vibration reduction set your lens appropriately for the subject

Have needed filters on your lens or take filters off your lens as necessary before heading out

It may sound obvious but take off your lens cap

Head out with a notion of what you’d like to photograph and how, but always keep your eyes open for new subjects and the unexpected

Have your camera on and your hand on your camera bag

Stay focused

Don’t chimp

Be sure to check out the rest of the article 12 Ways To Never Miss A Photo Opportunity over at the DPS blog for fuller explanations of these quick points.