Tips for Consistently Sharp Portraits

Achieving consistently sharp portraits can be challenging. This video breaks down a five-part formula to help you nail that perfect focus every time.

Coming to you from Chelsea Nicole Photography, this comprehensive video explains the essentials of getting sharp focus in your portraits. The first part of the formula is shutter speed. Shutter speed controls how fast the shutter opens and closes, impacting exposure and sharpness. For stationary subjects in low light, use a minimum of 1/60th of a second with wider lenses like 50mm or 35mm. For moving subjects and longer lenses, aim for 1/250th of a second or faster to avoid blur.

The second part of the formula is high-quality lenses. The difference in image quality between low-cost and high-end lenses is significant. Chelsea shares her experience testing various lenses and emphasizes that investing in a few high-quality lenses is better than accumulating many low-quality ones. This approach ensures sharper, clearer images and saves money in the long run, as quality lenses typically don't need frequent replacements.

Next, the autofocus mode is crucial. Single-shot AF (AF-S) is ideal for still subjects, locking focus when the shutter button is half-pressed. Continuous AF (AF-C) is best for moving subjects, adjusting focus as the subject moves. Chelsea advises switching between these modes depending on the situation to maintain sharp focus. Understanding when to use each mode can make a significant difference in the clarity of your photos. That's just the start, so check out the video above for the full rundown from Nicole.