My only photography goal for May's camping trip to Miquelon Lake Provincial Park? Crisp focus or at least as few blurry photos as possible. Lofty and ambitious, right? But taking baby steps is my way of cementing a strong foundation for my photography skills.

Since focus was my only objective, I didn't worry too much about fancy things like composition.

My Miquelon Lake Photography Projects

I picked out 4 subjects that should prove useful as reference photos.

• Tree trunks
• Trees, buds and leaves
• Sky and water
• Fire

Over the next few weeks, I'll be featuring my best photos for each of these subjects. Today, it's tree trunks.

Project 1: Tree Trunks

I took about 50 tree trunk shots in less than half an hour. The sun blistered and the spider webs clung, but I plunged into the brush anyways. (I didn't see any actual spiders or I would have wailed all the way back to my husband.)

Only a hand full of the photos turned out blurry, so I'm going to give myself
a B minus. Here are 3 of my favorite shots:

Photograph:
Paper bark birch tree in Miquelon Lake photographed May 2008
© Anima

Photograph:
Heavily scarred tree trunk at Miquelon Lake photographed May 2008
© Anima

Photograph:
Fallen tree trunk at Miquelon Lake photographed May 2008
© Anima

Related articles

• 2 Step Journey to Becoming a Better Photographer


• Avoiding Blurry Photos the Low-Tech Way

I'm adding these tree trunk photos to my stash of reference pictures.

Next time, bud and leaf photos from Miquelon Lake.

Labels: photography

Photograph:
A dewy green leaf on the McKertcher family farm. I took this photo just after sunrise on June 19th.
© Anima

On my journey to becoming a better photographer, I'm setting some very simple, very basic goals. My plan: hone one skill at a time until it's instinctive.

Now that I've mastered carrying my camera around and taking pictures of everything that strikes my fancy, it's time to get really ambitious. It's time to work on taking pictures that aren't blurry. Don't laugh. Camera shake is a real challenge for me. According to my husband, Ter, my photos look like they were snapped during a minor seizure.

Why Such Blurry Pictures?

Apparently, there are at least 4 reasons for blurry pictures:

• The focus is on the wrong item
• The subject moves when the shutter is open
• The camera moves when the shutter is open
• The depth of field is too shallow

I'm going to stick to my one-goal-at-a-time/keep-it-simple-stupid motto and worry about the camera moving while the shutter is open.

Avoiding Camera Shake

Digital Photo Secrets is my starting point with these tips on avoiding camera shake:

• Hold your camera with both hands
• Keep the camera close to your body
• Bring your elbows to your side
• Hold your breath
• Lean on something for extra stability

I'm also trying these pointers:

• Keep your feet planted shoulder-width apart when standing
• Press, don't stab the shutter release button
• Don't move the camera for a moment after your shot is complete
• Take your time with each shot
• Practice

I keep reading that a tripod is the best solution, so eventually I'll buy one. But for now, I'll be avoiding blurred photos the low-tech way.

More Articles on Preventing Blurry Photos

Here are some other resources on avoiding blurry photos:

• Darren Rowse on How to Hold a Digital Camera
• Natalie Norton on 'How to Reduce Camera Shake - 6 Techniques'
• eHow on 'How to Avoid Blurry Digital Photos'
• Cameras.co.uk on 'How to Avoid Blurred Photos'
• Liz Masoner on 'Camera Shake'
• DigiCam Help on 'Preventing Camera Shake'

Related Articles

• 2 Step Journey to Becoming a Better Photographer

Share your blurry photo tips and stories.

Labels: photography, tips techniques tutorials

Photograph:
Anima photographing her reflection in the trailer window while camping at Miquelon Lake in May.
© Anima

There's a simple 2 step process to becoming a better photographer. Dozens more steps can make you a great photographer but these 2 set your foundation. They may be common sense but I'm only now implementing them myself. Once again, common sense proves not so common.

One thing I've never considered myself is a photographer. For about 92% of my life I've barely taken a handful of pictures a year, all terrible, with the occasional decent fluke. With the discovery of Darren Rowse's Digital Photography School, I'm inspired to change.

Besides slavishly reading through everything on DPS, the plan for becoming a better photographer is this: Practice. And more practice. Trips to Miquelon Lake, Crimson Lake, Montreal, Southern Ontario, and the Devonian Gardens this summer should afford me plenty of opportunities.

Photograph:
Two trees in a field of wheat
Photographed east of the McKertcher family farm near Milverton, Ontario shortly after sunrise on June 19th
© Anima

So what are the first 2 steps to becoming a better photographer?

Carry your camera everywhere

My camera is now crammed into my giant suitcase of a purse along with hand sanitizer, lotion, and baby wipes. (Those baby wipes are indispensable, even in my baby less state.)

Take your camera out of your purse and snap some pictures

Between just plain forgetting and feeling self-conscious and touristy, this is easier said than done. Your companions may wonder why you're photographing a random leaf or ceramic tile. Just smile and keep clicking. As artists, we're used to not fitting into the conventional mould anyways so what's the difference?

Well, my journey starts with these 2 steps. I'll keep you posted. Where are you on your journey to becoming a better photographer?

Labels: photography, tips techniques tutorials