How To Create Effective Blurring In Your Boutique Album Photos

For a photograph to look good, sharpness is key. And if the picture is going to be a part of your boutique photo albums, proper focus is paramount. Sharpness in a photo can be created through different techniques such as motion blur, shallow depth of field, camera motion, etc. Let us take a look at some of these techniques and learn how they help achieve the sharpness desired.

Shutter Speed

You should be aware of the minimum shutter speed requirements. Creative blur usage starts in the camera. However, before that, you should know at least a thing or two about sharpness. For handheld shots, using a sufficiently quick shutter speed would ensure minimal camera shake having zero impact on picture quality. A common thumb rule is calculating minimum shutter speed incorporating the lens’ focal length. For instance, shutter speed must not be below 1/100 second when using 100m focal length.

Vibration Reduction

Lenses with vibration reduction or image stabilization would let you manage with significantly low shutter speed compared to lenses not having the stabilization feature. However, you should still try out lenses to confirm the slowest speed usable. Any camera movement would become easily noticeable in shots composed using a telephoto focal length. Therefore, a tripod would invariably be handy, provided the accessory complements your photographic style and shooting scenario.

Depth of Field

Irrespective of the aperture set, when viewing through an SLR’s viewfinder, the widest aperture lets in maximum light possible for composition. Therefore, you could think you have a shallow, soft depth of field only to discover later there’s much more in focus than required. Thankfully, the majority of DSLRs come built in with a button to preview the depth of field resorting to the existing aperture setting.

Aim for Long Shots

Zoom lenses usually get chastised for not producing the same quality of images as prime lenses – though some notable exceptions being there. That said, having a zoom lens is not a disadvantage. If you have one, you may still utilize it to your benefit. Zooming in on a particular subject would isolate the subject from the remainder elements of the shot. And based on the lens you’re using, it would leave you with some delicious bokeh (blur effect).

Move Closer

Get as closer as possible to the subject if you want as much blurriness possible. Every camera lens has something called minimum focusing distance or MFD. It’s essentially a tool helping ascertain how close you could get to a subject without losing focus-locking capabilities. Macro lenses usually excel at such close-up shots. Other lens could get the job done as well, but the results won’t be as dramatic.