Why Are My Pictures Blurry? Camera Shake & Motion Blur

Blurry pictures usually come down to one of three things – missed focus, too slow a shutter speed (camera shake or subject movement), or too shallow a depth of field. The fix is to identify which, and correct it. Here’s why your pictures are blurry and how to fix it.

‘Why are my photos blurry?’ I used to ask myself. sound familiar?

Firstly, if you’ve never asked yourself this question as an aspiring photographer then you won’t need this guide. Secondly, well done on getting sharpness nailed!

Knowing why your photos aren’t tack sharp will only help you improve your photography in the future.

If you find yourself constantly questioning ‘why are my pictures blurry?’ then the answers quite possibly lie in understanding camera shake and motion blur in photography.

What is Camera Shake?

It is what it sounds like – camera shake is when your camera vibrates during a photo. These little movements will affect how light travels through your lens and hits your sensor.

Given that light travels in straight lines, if the point that you’re aiming for it to hit (the sensor) moves while the light is landing on it then the resulting image will be blurred in parts.

Long exposure photographs are the most susceptible to camera shake as the sensor is exposed to light for longer periods. But you can even register camera shake from shutter speeds as fast as 1/60th.

4 Ways to Stop Camera Shake

Fortunately stopping camera shake occurring, or at least minimising the chances of it happening, is quite easy.

Here are 4 ways to stop camera shake.

1. Always use a tripod when shooting at a shutter speed slower than 1/60th.

2. For long exposure photos use a remote shutter trigger to start the exposure. Pressing your camera’s shutter button can cause micro-vibrations.

3. Alternatively start your long exposure using a self-timer. Set the camera to 2 seconds, press down on the shutter button and stand back until the exposure cycle completes.

4. Follow the reciprocal rule when using telephoto lenses. The rule states you should use a shutter speed of at least one over the focal length you are shooting at. i.e. shooting at 200mm requires a shutter speed of 1/200th or faster to reduce camera shake.

What is Motion Blur?

Motion blur is different from camera shake as it is a result of your subject moving and not the camera – but it is possible for both to affect your image if you don’t take precautions.

You’ll see instances where motion blur can be used intentionally and creatively such as ghosting or panning techniques.

If you are finding your shots are still blurry and it’s not down to camera shake, then it’s probably due to the movement of your subject in the photograph.

Since cameras register light that is bouncing off a subject, then if that reflected light moves during an exposure the subject becomes blurred, unless the camera settings are set up for it.

5 Ways to Stop Motion Blur

Just as with camera shake, motion blur can be easily eradicated with a few simple steps during shooting.

1. For action shots use a shutter speed that is faster than the subject’s movement.

2. Perceived motion is relative to the camera’s position. A car travelling 30mph 100 yards away will require a slower shutter speed than the same car being 20 yards away at the same speed. This is important to remember and adjust for.

3. Use a continuous focus mode to help your camera track motion and place the focus points in the right place.

4. Don’t shoot handheld at shutter speeds slower than 1/125th where possible.

5. Open your aperture to compensate for a faster shutter speed. If this isn’t possible then raise your ISO.

Missed Focus: The Third Cause

Before you blame the shutter speed, check the focus, because missed focus is the commonest reason a photograph looks soft and the hardest one for a beginner to spot.

The tell is straightforward. If the whole frame is soft in the same direction, that is camera shake. If the subject is soft and the background is soft too, that is a slow shutter. But if something in the frame is perfectly sharp and it is not your subject – the ear rather than the eye, the fence behind rather than the dog in front – the camera focused where you did not want it to.

The usual causes. Leaving the camera to pick the focus point for itself, so it grabs whatever is nearest or highest in contrast. Focusing in the middle and then recomposing, which swings the plane of focus off your subject. Using a wide aperture such as F/1.8, where the depth of field is an inch or two and there is no margin at all. Or shooting in light too dim for the autofocus to lock, so it hunts and gives up.

The fixes. Choose a single AF point and put it where you want the sharpness, on the near eye for a person or an animal. Turn on eye detection if your camera has it. Close down a stop or two to buy yourself some depth of field. And zoom in on the back of the camera to check, rather than trusting a small bright screen.

Camera Shake and Motion Blur: Final Words

Now there’s no excuse for a blurry photo anymore! If you understand what is causing your soft shots, then use our action points to set it right.

Just remember to consider your camera’s shutter speed and the speed of the motion in the shot.

For more, read our guide to getting sharper photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my pictures blurry?

Usually missed focus, too slow a shutter speed (causing camera shake or subject blur), or too wide an aperture leaving too little in focus. Dirty glass and focus-and-recompose errors can also cause it.

How do I stop camera shake?

Use a shutter speed of at least 1/focal length (faster for longer lenses), hold the camera steadily or brace it, use image stabilisation, or put it on a tripod for slow shutter speeds.

Why is my subject blurry but the background sharp (or vice versa)?

That is a focus issue, the camera focused on the wrong place. Use a single focus point on your subject (the eye for portraits) and confirm focus before shooting.

What shutter speed stops blur from movement?

Around 1/500s for everyday movement, and 1/1000s or faster for quick action. If the subject moves, you need a fast enough shutter regardless of how steady you hold the camera.

How do I get sharper photos overall?

Nail focus (single point on the subject), use a fast enough shutter, support the camera, use a sensible aperture (f/5.6-f/8 for sharpness), and keep your lens clean.