Outdoor Photography How To

We've all had the misfortune of returning from a shoot, only to discover that our "great" images are soft and unfocused. This problem can be overlooked if it's extremely rare, but if it happens consistently there are a few problems that must be resolved.

This tutorial from the Photography Explained YouTube channel will help diagnose your problems so that you'll "get crazy sharp photos with any camera every time." Our unnamed instructor is an experienced amateur, and he puts it like this: "I know how frustrating it can be to return home with blurry or soft images, even when you feel like you've done everything right."

The goal of today's lesson is to fix your focusing issues once and for all in the next few minutes. One common cause is that your shutter speed is simply too slow to freeze subject movement in the scene. This setting is especially important in "low-light situations when your camera is struggling to gather enough light.

Another snafu occurs when the focus point you selected is in the wrong area within the frame. The checklist in the video indicates these and other potential problems, along with straightforward solutions for each. So be sure to make a screen grab for future reference when and if you confront soft photos in the future.

The video provides a comprehensive rundown of every concept on the list, with a bunch of key camera settings like exposure mode, choosing the appropriate ISO, and when it's best to enable or disable Auto ISO. And, of course, you'll learn how Aperture and Shutter Speed settings factor into the equation.

There's also a bunch of valuable shooting advice for avoiding "operator failure" if you know what we mean. Here you'll pick up effective suggestions for holding a camera steady, focusing tips that make a big difference, and a few more tricks.

The instructor adds an important reminder with regard to a frequent oversight; namely, failing to clean the front element of a lens. That's because dirty glass can create a whole host of image-quality issues. Finally, there are times when you'll have to rely upon a sturdy tripod to achieve tack-sharp photographs.

The popular Photography Explained YouTube channel is designed to help hobbyists and other amateurs quickly enhance their skills, with videos on shooting techniques, gear recommendations, and solid advice for configuring your camera in a way that delivers the best possible photograohs.

We also suggest watching the related tutorial we featured with another helpful expert who  explains how he captures sharp, handheld photographs in the field—even in low lighting conditions or when shooting with a long telephoto lens.