Tip #4110 - Working with the Contrast
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Working
with the Contrast
Image sharpness can
mean the essential difference between good and bad photography. Plus,
if you are contributing for stock photo sites, this becomes the key decider
between acceptance and non-acceptance. So, what is sharpness? Well, it's
basically the crispness of the photograph and the clarity of the different
elements in the photograph (the detailing). Sharpening a photo can be
done in the post-production process, but it’s best to limit the
amount of software sharpening you use, because it can yield poor results
if abused. The following simple steps can help you achieve a better sharpness
for your pictures. So, what are you waiting for? Keep reading!
1.) A Tripod is a Must in Most Cases
Often times, we avoid
using a tripod because it’s heavy and cumbersome to carry. But,
if the shoot is important to you at all, it’s best to carry your
tripod along. After all, you won’t be traveling to far-off places
too often and it’s best to capture crystal clear images for posterity,
rather than useless fuzzy pictures. So, even if you have a rock steady
hand, you should use a tripod to steady your camera. Some alternatives
to the tripod are monopods, beanbags, logs, rocks and similar steady platforms.
This tip is particularly good in low light conditions and for indoor shots.
2.) Need for
Shutter Speed
If you’re ignoring
tip #1, you should at least be using a fast shutter speed. The rule of
thumb is to use a shutter speed faster than 1/(focal length). So, a 200mm
focal length should get a 1/250 second shutter speed. If you're using
a tripod, you’ll want to avoid the 1/30 to 1/4 second range, unless
you lock your mirror up. The mirror slap can actually cause enough vibration
to shake the camera a bit. Therefore, if you can lock your mirror, do
it.
3.) Aperture
Should Be Your Priority
The first part to
this one is depth of field, more of which will at least create the appearance
of higher sharpness. As you stop down the lens, more of your image will
be in focus. The second part to the aperture tip is using the "sweet
spot" for your lens. Every lens has an aperture that produces optimal
sharpness results. For most, this is somewhere around two or three stops
down from the maximum aperture (but do a little research on your particular
lens before you do anything).
4.) Lower
ISO Speed
Slower ISOs tend to
resolve more detail, in addition to producing less noise. Always use the
lowest ISO value possible. You should only bump the ISO when you can’t
achieve the results you need by altering the shutter speed and aperture.
5.) Look Through
the Lens
Many believe that
getting a good camera is all there is to taking great pictures. On the
contrary, the lens is just as important. In fact, the lens is more important
than the camera in some cases. High quality lenses give you the capability
to produce high quality photos (technical finesse). I suggest that you
buy the best you can afford. When doing your lens research, look for lenses
with high resolution and high contrast. If you’re out for ultimate
sharpness, a high quality prime lens will typically out perform a high
quality zoom.
6.) Boost Contrast
Our eyes naturally
pick up on high contrast situations and this can give your photos a better
appearance of sharpness. Look for subjects that display high contrast,
such as direct sunlight situations. You can also boost the contrast in
post-production by using things like Photoshop’s levels and curves
adjustments. In addition to lighting contrast, color contrast can improve
the appearance of sharpness. Both types of contrast can be smothered by
light hitting the front of the lens, which creates a hazy photo. To avoid
this, use a lens hood or shade the lens by some other method. Polarizing
filters and UV filters also tend to help with sharpness, by cutting out
some of the haze and boosting contrast.
There you have it! Keep all of these things in mind the next time you
go on a clicking spree. Not only will your pictures acquire a nice crisp
tang, but your photography skills will also improve considerably!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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