There is something wonderful about catching a still life memory in the form of a photo during a particularly enjoyable time. Even though photographs are being taken, it is nice to embrace real life as it happens.
However, when you finally review those pictures later on, you notice that some of the best shots that were taken are blurry. While you might think that they are ruined and unsalvageable, there may be hope yet.
So long as the photo is not so blurred that the picture is completely undistinguishable, then there is a chance that you could save it.
In this article we shall take a look at what a blurry picture actually means, and the ways you can make the photo sharp again using some digital software and simple tricks!
Fixing A Blurred Picture Using Photoshop
When you find that a picture is blurred, then do not feel frustrated because there is a way to fix it using Photoshop. By following the simple steps below, it can help you to make the subject of the photo stand out again.
Method 1 – Shake Reduction Filter
- Open up the picture in Photoshop. On the menu at the top of the screen, click on ‘Filter’ and go to ‘Sharpen’. It will open another menu. Once it does, click on ‘Shake Reduction Filter’.
- You will see a progress bar appear and from here the photo will be scanned and made sharper.
- Once the process is complete, you will be prompted to save the changes.
- The photo will be sharp again!
Method 2 – Unsharp Mask
- Open up the photo in either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. On the menu at the top of the screen click on ‘Filter’, ‘Sharpen’, and then ‘Unsharp Mask’.
- Change both the radius and threshold until you have the sharper image that you prefer. Once happy, save it.
- Next, click on ‘Edit’ and select ‘Fade Unsharp Mask’. When the pop-up appears, change the Normal setting to ‘Luminosity’.
What Might Cause A Picture To Be Blurry?
Even when you are an expert at taking pictures, there comes a time when a photo is not in focus in the place you want it to be. Perhaps the subject is blurry, yet the background is sharp, for example.
When you take pictures in the moment – perhaps you enjoy street photography – sometimes you take that picture so fast that you do not have time to focus the lens, or maybe the shutter speed is not correct.
Let’s take a look at some of those reasons in more detail:
Focus Area
Just like we stated previously, a subject may be out of focus and blurry due to the lens not being focused on the area that it is supposed to be keeping sharp.
This can cause the subject of the picture to be soft and blurred, while the things around the subject are sharp and in focus.
Length Of The Lens
When it comes to focus, the focal length of a lens can make the difference between whether the picture has quality or not. Some may drop in both sharpness and overall quality when used to zoom in, for example.
Blur From Motions
One of the big annoyances when taking pictures, whether a DSLR or iPhone user, is motion blur. It can happen if the wrong shutter speed is used, or if an automatic setting has been used in lower light.
However, this is difficult to correct compared to a regular blur.
Unsteady Hands
If you are taking a picture in low light and need a slower shutter speed, then the best thing to do is to use a tripod. A hand, no matter how steady you think it is, will cause some blur to the photo.
Vibrations Of The Camera
While a tripod is needed in low light, you may find that pressing the shutter button makes the camera vibrate. This will also cause the photo to be blurry.
What Are Ways to Avoid a Blurry Picture?
To make sure you get in-focus pictures every time, there are a few things you can do to avoid finding out that what you thought was a great image, is actually blurred.
While we have gone through why photos end up being out of focus and blurry, here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you are out taking pictures:
When you want to keep a subject sharp, hold down the shutter button halfway while viewing the subject to lock in the focus. Most cameras then allow for you to then reframe the shot while keeping the subject in focus.
- If you have a long focal length and you are trying to take a picture close up, it will never be sharp. Take a step back and refocus your frame.
- If you are in daylight or bright light, use a faster shutter speed. If the light is low, consider using a tripod for a slower shutter speed.
- Invest in lenses that are great quality. Cheaper varieties may not produce the sharp results that you would like.
- Keep the lens free of dust and grime. This can cause all pictures to look blurry, no matter how well you focus.
- If you are photographing a moving subject, always make sure that the light is bright and a fast shutter speed is used.
- Make sure you are holding the camera in the most comfortable and correct position to avoid lots of movement.
- Always check your photos before heading home. If you have a chance to retake blurred shots, then do it. Otherwise, you may be very disappointed.
Final Thoughts
Taking pictures is a great way to capture memories, or to produce some brilliant artistic shots.
However, if you realize that the images that you thought were amazing were actually blurry, it can cause you to be very annoyed.
Even so, there may just be a way to fix a blurry photo using simple steps on Adobe Photoshop. So, don’t be disappointed, there is hope yet!
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