Bad Moms Take Really Crisp Photos

1.  Use The Lowest ISO That You Can

I know, I know. I haven’t explained ISO here yet. I explained it awhile ago on my personal site but the writing is old and cringe-worthy.  I will keep this short and sweet for the purposes of this tutorial.  The lower the ISO, the sharper your photo.  This all depends on available light, of course.  Basically you want to use the lowest ISO setting that you can get away with so that you get a crisp photo with minimal digital noise.

Digital noise is not techno music, despite what you might think. It basically means that your pixels are all nasty and messing up your photo with a “grainy” look.

This applies to most of you using point-and-shoots too!  I have a Canon Powershot and you can use manual settings.  Don’t chicken out.  Be brave.  You will be happy that you did.

On a bright, sunny day you will want to shoot at an ISO of 100 (or less, if your camera lets you).

You will need to bump it up in lower light, but try to shoot at the lowest ISO you can get away with.

2. Use A Tripod

The tripod is your friend.  Taking photos of your kids in the yard is not conducive to using a tripod.  OF COURSE.  If you are taking family, wedding, or macro photos you will want to use a tripod.  Camera shake can be disastrous.

If you do not have a tripod handy try bracing your camera by pulling your strap tight.  You can also place it on an fence, chair, etc.

3. Use Your Self Timer

If you are using the lowest ISO possible, just the pressing of the shutter button can cause camera shake.  When doing formal portraits or still/macro shots you will likely want to use a shutter release cable.  If you cannot justify the expense, and ten seconds will not kill you, use your camera’s self-timer function.  You press the shutter button and ten seconds later your camera has stopped shaking so that you can take a crisp photo.

4. Shoot Rapid Fire (Continuous Mode)

Friends often find it humorous when I take photos and they hear the shutter fire off three or more times.  It also surprises them if I have them take a photo of me and mine.  They press the button and BAM, BAM, BAM! Eight photos in a matter of seconds!  It kind of freaks them out. I really need to have another camera handy to catch their expressions.

My camera is almost always set to continuous mode.  The reason being that out of three or more shots, at least one of them has to be crisp and clear.  If there is any camera shake from pressing the shutter button it is on the first frame and then the remaining shots are nice and crisp.

For group shots, the likelihood of everyone having their eyes open is also greater.

5.  Play Your Photos Back And Zoom In

On the tiny LCD display of your camera photos almost always look like they are in focus.  I have gotten into the habit of zooming in just to make sure and what do you know?  Sometimes they are NOT in focus.  This little habit of mine has saved me many a headache.  It also allows me to get crisp shots of my monkeys.

If you have any tips that you swear by, feel free to share them with below. I can take advice as well as I can dish it. Most of the time.