BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Sara H. Robinson

Help on portrait sessions

Help I am having a problem when taking pictures of people. Some of the pictures are a little blurry probably because I wasn't stable. Also, I think I rush through the pictures too fast. If there is anyone with some advice about this it would be very much appreciated. Thanks Sara

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July 13, 2006

Kerry L. Walker

Use a tripod. It will not only stabilize the camera but also force you to slow down.

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July 13, 2006

Oliver Anderson

I think Kerry is right about tripod but buy a remote shutter switch as well otherwise you'll shake the camera when you press the button... I'm having my camera hooked up to my Clapper to avoid camera shake...it's gonna be great to clap through all those photoshoots.

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July 13, 2006

Kerry L. Walker

For old folks like me with old cameras like mine, that remote shotter switch is called a screw-in calble release. LOL You can also use the camera's self timer if you don't have a remote.

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July 13, 2006

robert G. Fately

Sara, there are a couple of issues to consider - you don't say what kind of situations you have when you take these people pictures so I'll mention a few things:

First, you say the photos are blurry and assume it was due to your motion, but is it possible the motion of the subject is also an issue? This is the other source of motion blur - if you use too show a shutter speed (what constituted "too slow" depends on a number of variables) then even with the camera on a tripod if the subject is moving quickly enough his own movement will become blurred in the shot.

That said, the tripod idea is an excellent one. Even if you increaase the shutter speed or use flash or whatever to eliminate the issue of motion blur, having the camera away from your face and firing the shutter witha release gives you an entirely different dynamic interaction with the subject. People are less self-conscious when talking to you face to face then when you are hidden behind a camera. Of course, this presumes that you sit or stand your subjects in a ceratin position - remote release isn't very helpful in a sports situation when you have to constantly re-aim.

The other possible source of blur, of course, is focus. If you're using auto-focus, is is possible that the auto mechanism is zoning in on the wrong area? I know it's a longer shot, but I figured to mention it.

Perhaps if you give us more details (or maybe an example) we can help more.

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July 13, 2006

Sara H. Robinson

Thank you so much for your help. The types of shoots I am talking about is taking senior pictures or family pictures, children etc. For the most part the subjects are not moving too much. I'll upload some pictures to illustrate. The first one was in focus and the second was not. I used ISO 100 and the focus point was her eyes in autofocus mode. I also have another little question I am just starting out and wonder if using a tripod make it hard when taking pictures to get at different angles and move (like when taking pictures of young children)?