In a previous blog I addressed the consequences of not using a tripod when shooting objects that are far away. Camera shake is a sure-fire way to kill a super shot.
Fortunately, recent advances in technology allow photographers to salvage shaky shots and resurrect images that were once destined for the recycle bin. Photo-editing software is a saving grace for professional and amateur photographers alike. What’s more, you don’t have to be a tech whiz in order to edit blurry shots.
I’m not going to lie; I edit the heck out of some of my images. These days it’s not hard to do given all of the image editing software available, such as Paintshop Pro, Fireworks, and the leader in the field, Adobe Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop is hands down the most popular and user-friendly photo-editing program on the market. Seriously. In fact, I, you, anyone, can sharpen shots in four easy steps:
1. Open the image you want to fix and modify the color and lighting aspects first. Don’t automatically hit the “sharpen” option because you will lose pixels in the process. In most cases you can eliminate blur by simply adjusting the color and contrast.
2. If you are in a hurry, then hit the “Sharpen” menu from the drop down “Filter” list. You’ll see a bunch of different sharpening tools each with their own features. If your image is just a bit out-of-focus, you should start with the tool at the top first. Click it and the menu will disappear and your photo will have some of the blur taken away.
3. If your photo is still blurry after completing step two, then click on the next tool from the list, “Sharpen Edges.” Doing so will add contrast to the darker tones at the edges. However, keep in mind that this effect will be very noticeable.
4. If your photo still has residual blurriness, then choose the advanced tab and sharpen highlights or shadows. This tool comes in very handy when editing blurry faces.
Before you get Photoshop happy with your shots, remember, the more you edit, the grainer your image may appear due to the changes made to the photo’s pixels.
Related Articles:
Basic Photo Tips for Digital Camera Owners
Getting Rid of Red-Eye and Saying Bye-Bye to Blurry Shots