Why Are My Pictures Blurry?

When I was in high school, I worked part-time at Ritz Camera. It was a great place to learn about cameras and customer service. I learned as much from the customers as I did from my co-workers.

One afternoon, while helping a customer purchase a roll of film, I accidentally dropped the roll. When I proceeded to the register, the customer became angry and yelled at me, “You can’t sell me that roll! You just dropped it, it’s all out of focus now!”

The customer is always right, so I carefully picked a new roll of film out for him, while I tried to explain that it isn’t the film that controls the focus. Unfortunately, when he left, he was still angry and didn’t hear what I was trying to explain. So … let me try this again.

Whether you’re shooting film or digital, these tips will help you identify the cause in your blurry photographs.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Camera Shake

How can I fix camera shake?

Use both hands when you’re hand holding the camera. Grip the camera with your right hand. Wrap three fingers around the front of the body and position your trigger finger over the shutter button. With your left hand, support the weight of the camera by resting the body on your open palm. Keep your elbows tucked closed to your sides and hold the camera close to your face. Do not extend your arms.

Alternatively, use a tripod.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Too Close

How do I know how close is too close?

It depends on the lens. If you’re using a point and shoot camera, then you don’t have the option of changing your lens. So, you’ll have to read the camera’s manual to find out the focus range of the camera. If you lost the manual, then do some test shots with a yard stick.

Also, check your other settings. Some point and shoots have macro lenses. Meaning, that with the flip of switch, you’ll be able to focus on objects much closer.

Back up until your lens can focus.

If you’re using a camera with interchangeable lenses, then read the manual that came with the lens that you’re using. Also, check the actual lens; often times, they have markings on them.

To fix the focal problem in the photo above, I kept moving further away from the object until it was in focus.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Dirty Lens

How do I know the problem is a dirty or smudged lens?

If your image is hazy or soft, then there may be something sticky, smudgy or oily on your lens. If your image has dark spots on it, then your lens may be dirty with dust.

Clean the lens carefully using a cleaning kit available for purchase at any camera store. Choose a kit that comes with cleaning liquid, tissue, a blower brush and a soft cleaning cloth. First, use the blower brush. Blow whatever you can from the surface of the lens. Ideally, you’d like to remove all hard and gritty contaminants this way. It’s the safest way, as far as preventing scratches. Second, use the brush to gently clean off any dust that the blower didn’t remove. Third, use a piece of tissue to wipe the lens. If the lens is still dirty, then put a drop of the cleaning solution on a clean piece of tissue and gently rub the problem area in a circular motion. Finally, wipe the solution away with a clean and dry piece of tissue.

Keep your lens clean by using lens caps and filters.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Motion Blur

How can I combat motion blur?

Beware of windy days! If you’re using a point and shoot, try getting someone to stand in the path of the wind to block it for you. If that doesn’t work, get ready to take the picture and then just wait. Wait until the wind dies down for moment and then snap that shot.

A close-up to show the motion.

Other ways to deal with motion blur are to use the running man setting on your point and shoot, or use a faster shutter speed on a more advanced camera. Using a flash will also help to freeze the action, as will panning. Panning is when you move the camera with the action. For example, if you’re taking pictures of a runner, then focus on the runner and keep moving your camera to keep the runner in the same area of your frame. Take the picture while you continue to move the camera. The effect will be a sharp runner and a blurred background. Panning is a popular technique in photographing race cars.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Interference

How can I shoot through objects when there’s something in front of the lens?

Be careful of your camera strap, cap keeper, long hair, etc getting in front of your lens when you’re taking a picture. In this case, it was a fence at the zoo.

Shot through the fence with a long lens.

What can you do when there’s no getting around that fence? Use a telephoto or zoom lens and get as close to the interfering object as possible. When you focus on the subject, you’ll find the fence starts to disappear.

On a final note, blur isn’t always bad. It can be a great tool for showing motion, such as that race car. It can also be used creatively and artfully.

Additional Photos:

User Error: I just didn't focus.

Focused

A good use of Motion Blur.

Getting creative with motion blur.