A tripod is all but necessary for sharp photos.
When you take a long-exposure photograph in which the shutter is open for many seconds or minutes, image blur can become an issue. This can be a result of objects in your image moving while the shutter is open, or because the camera is not properly secured to a stable surface. Consider one or more of the following steps to ensure that your photos achieve maximum sharpness.
Instructions
1. Place your camera on a tripod. This is a must for long-exposure photographs. Some tripods are made out of aluminum, while others use heavier metals. A large metal tripod has more weight and is less likely to move in the wind or be knocked over. Screw the tripod plate into the threading on the camera body and secure the secondary tightening mechanism. Make sure the plate is properly locked into place on the tripod head. Take care to tighten additional screws if any tilts are involved in your composition so that the camera doesn't slowly slip out of place during exposure.
2. Consider the quality of your lens. You may not be able to afford the best lens on the market, but a lens of a fixed focal length tends to create sharper images than a zoom lens. Clean the lens with a soft cloth so that grease doesn't create any haziness. Remove any protective UV filters just for the purpose of making the exposure.
3. Choose a low ISO setting on a digital camera if the exposure is practical. Such settings lengthen exposure time, but this may not be an issue if you are already prepared for a long exposure. High ISO settings, depending on the make and model of your camera, can reduce image sharpness, in addition to heightening contrast and adding noise.
4. Use your camera's timer or cable release. Blur can occur in photos simply because the physical action of pressing the shutter release button jostles the camera. Many cameras have built-in timers that make the exposure without you having to press the button. Alternatively, you can attach a cable release to your camera and activate the button from a safe distance.
5. Choose the mirror lock-up option if your camera has such a feature. This mechanism is more common in medium-format SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras than in 35mm cameras. SLR cameras have TTL (through-the-lens) viewing due to the mirror present inside the camera body. This mirror moves out of the way to create an exposure when you press the shutter release button, but its motion can create blur. Activate the mirror lock-up so that the mirror retreats before the shutter opens to create the exposure.
6. Create a composition that helps your subject stay still. Back in the early days of portrait photography, photographers used braces on the necks and backs of their subjects to keep them still during exposures that lasted minutes. While you may not want to take such drastic measures, consider the environment in which you are placing your subject if you are photographing a person. Give the person an object to comfortably rest on or against. Ask them to exhale and hold their breath if the exposure is practical for this. Smiles can be difficult to perfectly maintain.
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