One of the indicators of high quality photography, along with the correct composition and lighting, is the ideal sharpness of the subject. There is nothing worse for a photographer than to spend a lot of time and effort and only then find that the photographs lack clarity.
Necessary
Camera, tripod
Instructions
Step 1
For perfect portrait photos, always focus on the person's eyes. The main emphasis should be placed on the eyes, respectively, if they are out of focus, then the picture itself will seem indistinct.
Step 2
When calculating the required shutter speed, always use the formula: shutter speed <= 1 / focal length. For example, with a focal length of 60mm, the shutter speed should be no more than 1/60 of a second. This calculation of the minimum shutter speed applies only to handheld photography; when using a tripod, the shutter speed does not matter.
Step 3
Choose the best lens you can afford. The better your optics are, the sharper photos you will get. At the same time, remember that an expensive camera will give you less in terms of image sharpness than expensive optics.
If you are faced with a choice between a zoom lens and a fixed focal length lens, choose a prime lens. The fixes are not so convenient to use, but in terms of the quality of the photo they are superior to the zooms.
Step 4
When shooting, use a tripod if conditions permit. This will allow you to mount the camera still without having to worry about the shutter speed. If you are using a tripod in strong winds, balance it with a light weight (3-5 kg).
Step 5
In all lenses, the maximum sharpness of the picture is obtained with a slightly covered aperture. To obtain the desired result, it will be enough to cover the diaphragm by two stops. For example, if the maximum open aperture of your lens is f2.8, close it down to f5.6. This method is most useful when shooting from a medium distance.
Step 6
Turn stabilization off when shooting at slow shutter speeds. Stabilization makes photos sharper at fast shutter speeds, but it also causes slight lens vibration. When shooting at slow shutter speeds, this will result in unnecessary camera shake.