10 Tips for Maximizing Sharpness in Your Photography
1. Use a smaller lens to increase the depth of field.
Most wide angle lenses distort horizontal lines in photographs when you focus too closely. If you use a smaller lens you will increase the depth of field which gives the viewer the illusion of sharpness. Even if the details are not obvious, a smaller lens will keep everything in focus and your photograph will appear to be sharp.
2. Shade the lens to improve illusion of sharpness.
Light from a bright source can hit the lens and cause a haze to form in the picture. When this haze forms it can cause a beautiful effect, but can be disastrous if it is not the effect you want. The haze lowers the contrast and sharpness making the whole picture appears to be dull. Use a lens hood, helping hand, or hat to shield the lens. Of course, if the light source is in the frame you may not be able to avoid it.
3. Use a fast shutter speed to catch subjects in motion.
How fast you should set the shutter speed depends on how fast the subject is moving or traveling. If you are working with a human subject it will, of course, be much easier to control the speed. Working with animals and nature is a bit harder. The shutter speed also depends on your distance from the subject and the focal length of your camera. Choose a pre-focused spot and then pan with the subject. When the subject enters the focus area release the shutter. If you continue to pan after you release the shutter it will leave ghostly trails behind the subject in motion. If there is any vibration in the camera it may make the lines appear jagged and blurred.
4. Incorporate high contrast elements in your frame.
High contrast photos always look sharper than low contrast ones. Combine rich darks with bright highlights. When seeking a scene to photograph you should specifically look for areas that have a lot of contrast going on within. Use a film with high contrast like low ISO slide film to achieve crystal clear edges and photo crispness.
5. Incorporate color contrasting elements in your photographs.
A similar technique to high contrast, color contrasting photographs also look sharper than flat images with few colors. Muted color palettes don’t pop enough to bring out the sharpness of the details. Mix reds, yellows, blues, and greens with dark colors and shadows to create intensity and clarity.
6. Use slower ISO film.
Slow ISO film resolves higher and with more intense detail than higher ISO film. Slower film also has finer grain and better color saturation. Of course, slow ISO film is not the best for moving subjects and you should consider using a high speed ISO film.
7. Avoid the 1/5 shutter speed zone to avoid vibration.
When you push the shutter release on a mounted SLR the vibration from the mirror flipping up can cause the photograph to blur. This is usually consistent with focal lengths of 100mm or more, and 35mm or more with digital SLR. The shutter speed extends from about 1/30 to 1/4, so stay as far away from this range as possible to avoid mirror vibration when the shutter is released. This is not even an issue if you have a mirror lock function on your camera.
8. Adjust the lens down to 2 or 3 f/stops to maximize lens sharpness.
Most lenses stopped down to 2 or 3 f/stops are at their maximum sharpness. If you are not working with a large field of depth this technique may help you further expose the sharpness and quality of the details in all of your exposures. Of course, this does not work well in low light because it makes the pictures appear shadowed and dark.
9. Use a tripod to avoid camera shake.
Most photographers know that a using a tripod at all time is the best way to get focused clear photographs. When the camera shakes (especially at low shutter speeds) it leaves ghostly trails through the photograph. Unless you are capturing motion this technique is only rarely used, and combined with panning. Try using your tripod with a remote shutter release or with the camera timer.
Although it is best to use the tripod at all times it is not always convenient. If you don’t have a tripod lean your body against a solid structure. Or if standing alone brace your elbows on your chest and hold the camera lens in your view. Or you can squat and brace your elbows on your knees (requires a little bit of balance). Use tree branches, tables, or rocks to set your camera for a photograph. Or you can use a monopod nylon tension strap to reduce shake and vibration.
10. Only buy high quality lenses.
Image sharpness always begins with the glass. Get the very best lens you can afford. Look for lenses with high resolution and color contrast. If you are able, test the lens before you buy it to make sure the results are what you want them to be. Prime and zoom lenses are both made with quality glass and can be purchased at any film supply store. Keep the glass clean while shooting by cleaning off dust and smears with a micro fiber cloth or air blower. Never spray the lens with cleaner or water because it may penetrate the camera and leave streaks across the lens.
