Hello once again. Every so often, I’m asked how to take sharper pictures and the first thing that I tell them, is to get a good quality tripod and cable release. That’s the cable that attaches to your camera’s shutter release button. On some cameras of the newer variety, this can only be accomplished with an electronic device, such as a remote control or some sort of timer. It’s best to check your manual or the store where you purchased your camera.
A tripod permits you to take longer exposures and avoid camera shake. You may even shoot exposures of up to twenty-four hours if so required. The cable release eliminates the movement caused by pushing with your finger on the shutter release. It is interesting to note that on long exposures, your heartbeat, transmitted through your finger could have negative results on the final image. I use a tripod for ninety-five percent of my photography and though at the start, I found it to be a chore to lug a tripod around and doing the set-up, now I wouldn’t shoot without it.
Another important consideration is your choice of film. A very slow film requires longer exposure times, but gives good detail to the picture. But, what if it’s a little windy that day and you have to get the shot and can’t return to get it again? Any benefit that might have been possible by using the slower film is gone. The movement that would occur by the wind during a longer exposure will have rendered your picture unsharp. The thing to do then is to use a faster film. Perhaps a two hundred ASA or even a four hundred might be a better choice. The faster exposure times will compensate for the wind and allow you to get sharper photos and that my friends, is your number one concern. Remember, that no one enjoys looking at pictures that are not pin-point sharp.
Here’s another little tip that I use and it works very well for me. Let’s say you’re on vacation, in the Bahamas no less, and you are getting ready to shoot some scenes. You set up your tripod and release, look through the viewfinder, confirm your exposure and take the shot. Next thing is to gather up your gear and go look for another shot to take. STOP! One shot only? You’re going to risk not having a great shot because you don’t want to waste film? It’s only film and a few other pictures of that subject won’t break the bank. For example, try under or over exposing a stop or two. Try different angles. Maybe try a filter or two. This is one of the techniques that the pros use to get their award winning shots. Isn’t it better to get one decent shot of one subject then half a dozen of different subjects that are mediocre at best? When you show your pictures to your friends and relatives and hear all the great comments they make, rest assured, you’ll be glad you spent the extra time taking a few extra shots of that wonderful scene you first glimpsed on your vacation. Don’t forget, you might never get back there again and the chance to retake the picture is lost forever. So, go ahead and have fun, and shoot until you’re certain you have captured what inspired you in the first place.
The time of day that you shoot at is important as well. Remember that the early morning light and the evening light gives the most pleasing effects. The sunlight at noon is quite harsh and very contrasty. This doesn’t mean that you can’t shoot at noon, but it does mean that you should pick your spots carefully and try shooting in the shade as much as possible. Grey skies are good choices as well. The sun is more evenly diffused and all you need to remember is to keep the sky out of the picture as much as possible unless, there are dramatic storm clouds and you wish to include these in your photos.
