Maximizing Sharpness
Five quick tips to help maximize the sharpness of your photographs.
Use a Slow Film / Low ISO Speed
Whenever possible, use slow film or the lowest ISO setting on your digital camera -- anything from ISO 25 to ISO 100. A rule of thumb is: the lower the ISO number, the sharper the film or resulting digital image. [Keep?] Check my Film Reviews for specific recommendations. Keep your subject in mind when selecting a film speed or ISO setting, however. You won't benefit from the film's sharpness if your shutter speeds are too slow to stop the subject's movement!
If You're Shooting with a Slow Telephoto Lens...
Use a medium or high speed film when photographing with a slow (f4.5 to f5.6) telephoto lens, especially if you will be handholding the camera. There are several excellent 400 to 1000 speed films to choose from. Print film is sharper than slides in the ISO 400+ market. For digital photographers, use the highest ISO setting your camera allows without resulting in excessive noise. For example, we generally do not shoot with our Canon D60 at ISO speeds beyond ISO 400 due to camera's noise levels. Also, remember that if you are handholding a 300mm lens at the maximum zoom, you will need a shutter speed of 1/500 or greater -- that's just not possible in most situations with a 100 or slower film.
Use Manual Focus
Manual focus becomes critical when your zoom lens is at a maximum setting at a wide open aperture such as f2.8 to f5.6). The depth-of-field will be so shallow that it's critical to fine tune the focusing yourself to ensure the important elements in your photograph (such as an animal's eyes) are tack sharp.
Use a Tripod
Camera support is synonomous to sharp, highly-detailed photographs. A firm, heavy tripod is best but may not always be practical. Any form of camera support is better than nothing, whether you're using a picnic table to steady your arms, a camera clamp or mini-tripod. Some camera grips include a built-in mini-tripod, an invaluable tool.
Know Your Optics
Use the "sweet spots" of your camera lens whenever possible; these are mid-range apertures (f8 to f11) and zoom settings (say 150mm on a 80-300mm lens) that make the most of your lens optics, resulting in sharper photographs.
We hope you have enjoyed this article. You can find more like it in our Photography Guides.
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