How To Get Super Sharp Photos Every Time With Any Camera

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No matter what camera I use, I use the same techniques to make sure my photos are super sharp, every time, with any camera. Every camera obeys the same rules and laws of photography, and in this video, I'll be showing you how to get sharp photos with any camera, regardless of what device you pick up.

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[lettuce]

I've always been too careful about maintaining the right ISO because I thought the presence of noise would make or break my photos, so I ended up sacrificing a good shutter speed/ aperture for that, and thus ended up wondering why my photos came out blurry or not correctly exposed. thank you so much for this super helpful video!

[kovacspistol]

I have been taking photos for a long time and I always like learning a new technique. The fact of how easy this was to understand and not overwhelming is a serious talent. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with thw world!

[doloresneilson]

You're an amazing teacher. 
I have been in photography for a couple decades....(with a hiatus somewhere in there). I too, was over-cautious with ISO settings fearing noise.
No longer! You're absolutely right....sharpness over noise is best. It's a GAME CHANGER with moving targets (macros). I have MORE keepers now. THANK YOU!

[samcooper]

I have been limited by this since I got a DSLR. I always prioritized low ISO over everything (trying to avoid noise), not realizing that my kit lens at 1/5 ~ 3.5 ~ 200 would never be sharp. A great tip to add to this video is to buy a lens that opens wide enough to allow for proper exposure at higher shutter speeds.

[Vinn]

The clearest understanding of the photographic process I have ever gotten from a tutorial video. Very, very helpful. Thank you.

[KRRW]

Your conceptualization of photography is refreshing and concise Pat. The clarity of your presentation fits with your lifestyle and daily goals. I admire you for that!

[geogi_bodies]

For still objects, it's simple. A tripod solves most of the problem. It allows you to use the lower ISO, longer shutter speed, and whatever aperture size is called for. A good tripod goes a long way and it's not an item any serious landscape or studio (and might be other) photographers would spare. Just don't be lazy ;)

[aquaarietta]

Thanks for this! Just what I needed to intentionally make my photos as sharp as I'd like, which I've been struggling with a bit.

[danv]

Thank you. Many years ago I shot everything manually and was totally familiar with my camera. Many years later I got a new camera and got lazy, using auto for everything. You helped me get back on track.

[drinkinslim]

One thing you didn't mention in achieving sharpness, is to set the aperture to the lens's sweet spot, which is somewhere in the middle and so avoid using the lens wide open or closed down. Of course, if you need the speed of the lens for low light then this may be unavoidable.

[ApertureViews]

What happens when using a zoom lens, for example, 24-70? Do you do your calculations based on the most extended focal length of the lens? Or whatever focal length using at that particular time? For example, I’m zoomed in to 35mm. Do I do 3x the length you’re at? OR 3x the total focal length of the lens (70mm). No one has clarified this principle for zoom lenses.

[butchgo]

In the film days we focus manually using hyperfocal focus/distance and depth of field for tack sharp imagery. I am doing the same technique doing focus compensation taking advantage of limitless digital shots.

[MackyGuyver]

Love your videos! I also think it would be helpful for most of us as visual learners, if you showed these great nuggets of information as you apply them on your camera!!

[taylorsmith]

Something to add when shooting at the minimum shutter speed, is to shoot on burst. For sony with IBIS, I usually go a little below your recommended. For instance I will shoot at a minimum 1/15th on my 20mm at do a 3-4 shot burst. 2-4 shots are usually unusable, so I would never trust this on single shot.

[shauntaylor-mcdermott]

This really helped me, as I’ve just started photography in the last few months.Thankyou and have a great day 👍

[tomle]

Man thx for this tip. I never realized why some of my photos were still blurry when shooting wide open at 1.8f (old camera body) even though I was dead on the eyes for focus but was still somewhat out of "focus". It's so minimal but very noticeable at the same time and it's very distracting. I'm a dad and primarily using my old D5000 to shoot my son. I'm shooting indoors a lot so low light is what it is.. heard great things about this Nikkor budget prime lense but was getting blurry photos, now I know why.

[Vsual]

Wow, use ISO last like a gain control was huge. Makes me wonder how much more I missed in my "Basic Photography Training" You are so clear and precise I hope you have a course available. "Looking Now"

[sophielawrence]

Absolutely thrilled to bits to finally have a clearer idea of how to set optimum camera settings for sharpness. I have listened to many experts including Serge Ramelli and Tim Shields. But your simple presentation in this video is perfect AND SIMPLE to understand and remember. Setting the ISO last is not something I have been doing! So thank you for this.

[John_Lilley]

Thanks Pat! Please keep making these vids, I keep learning with every one!

[obscurazone]

Something not mentioned here, is whether or not you are panning your camera with a subject or remaining stationary and 'trapping' a subject moving in your frame. The PLETHORA of continuous focus modes on modern cameras makes these tasks super confusing, so I personally prefer the method I always used with film and that is to pre set a focus trap for any moving subject whether or not im stationary or panning. This only works for subjects moving in a horizontal trajectory - unless you of course set a wide enough depth of field with a high apature number in order to "trap" subjects moving towards or away from you. I find focus trapping infinitely more useful a method in situations like street photography or weddings, where I can pre set a focus distance and then not worry at all about things being in focus - I just need to know at what distances my subjects will be in focus, get in position, lift my camera and shoot. Its way less stressful and I can just concentrate on light and composition.