Most blur happens because the shutter speed is too slow and you are moving, even just a little, when you shoot.
Short and to the point, to help stop blur because you are moving the camera too much, use this formula:
Don’t Shoot Slower Than 1/Focal Length
This simple formula comes into use when you are hand-holding a camera. Those using a tripod can throw this rule out the window.
In practice it looks like this:
- 18mm lens = No slower than 1/18th of a second
- 50mm lens = No slower than 1/50th of a second
- 300mm lens = No slower than 1/300th of a second
And so on.
This applies to full frame or ‘cropped’ sensor cameras. Smartphones, mirrorless cameras, action cameras, drones…all of them.
As you might guess, most cameras don’t come with a 1/18th second of a shutter speed. For the most part, round down to the next fastest shutter speed (=higher denominator(the 18 in 1/18)). So that 1/18th can be rounded to 1/20th, just to be safe.
The faster you go, the less blur you will cause just by the fact that you are a human and have blood coursing through your veins and a silly, constant need to breathe. Breathing and holding a camera properly are important and will tip the odds in your favor.
Questions? Pop ’em like Pez in the comments section below. or email me at peter@peterwestcarey.com.