Over the years, I’ve noticed some photographers post insanely sharp images. Primarily portraits of people. Like everything is perfectly crisp even when they post to Facebook and social media programs that generally destroy resolution.
I wouldn’t get similar sharpness even if I boosted my shots 100%.
Are they using crazy expensive lenses or do the newer mirrorless cameras just capture more of a crisp look? It’s almost as if the resolution is 2-3x what I shoot in. All I’ve ever shot with is the 5D series.
The only time I’ve obtained similar sharpness was using art lenses up-close, but those are super heavy so I can’t imagine photographers are using them often.
Is this all software related? Are they using some specialized program that perfectly sharpens each image? If so, what are they using? I’m not talking about focus. Specifically sharpness.
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They put their camera on a sharpening stone until razor sharp! 😂
My “Wierd” tips for landscape at least is to soften the image a bit, over Sharpened image in Lightroom or else, will lead to “pixelated” feeling.
Also (still for landscape) making sure you have good lighting , and higher aperture + tripod make a good difference too.
It is all in the glass. all my lenses are F2.8 or better.
If this reasoning was solid, my cheapest lens, a $125 7Artisans f/1.2 would be better than all of your f/1.4, 1.8, 2.0, and 2.8 lenses. And an f/0.95 would be the sharpest lens a normal person could afford, at only $400-$500.
If the opposite was true, and I had a lens that could stop down to f/64 it would be the sharpest lens a mere mortal could buy.
Neither of these statements is true. and “It is all in the glass.” is only partially true.
it’s not that simple. It’s the quality of the actual glass. All my lenses are made by Nikon or NIKKOR. and, the quality of the camera. my lenses are sharp all the way from one end of its temperature range to the other. It relates to how many elements are in the lens and how well constructed they are. It’s easy to make a lens do with his post to do, it’s hard to make it do it right. that’s why lenses cost thousands of dollars.
Every lens is made up of multiple different lens elements. Each element affects the light as it passes through. With expensive lenses, the manufacturers go to great lengths to use the highest quality techniques and materials to minimize any chromatic aberration, distortion or vignetting from how the elements interact with the light as it passes through. Expensive lenses also tend to be sharper across the entire image for the same reason. With cheaper lenses, manufacturers can’t afford to invest as much money in materials or research. They try to do their best, but compromises must be made, and image quality is one of the things that suffers.
I would be the first to admit that my iPhone takes amazing pictures because the metering is phenomenal. But that does not make up for the quality of the glass. The best camera you have is the one you have with you.
The original discussion was about sharpness.
OP “How do some photographers get some insanely sharp shots?”
“it’s not that simple.”
But you made it sound that simple… “It is all in the glass. all my lenses are F2.8 or better.” And that’s the reason I replied in the first place.
“All my lenses are made by Nikon or NIKKOR.”
I own Canon “L” lenses, alongside cheap Chinese lenses, Fuji, Canon, and a boat-load of 50 year old Pentax Takumar, and other M42 mount lenses. They’re all fun, and can all be super sharp in the right conditions.
Is this you from 158 weeks ago… Unless this is you, you’re just talking. https://www.instagram.com/p/CF8x9dRAiN_/
“Every lens is made up of multiple different lens elements. Each element affects the light as it passes through. With expensive lenses, the manufacturers go to great lengths to use the highest quality techniques and materials to minimize any chromatic aberration, distortion or vignetting from how the elements interact with the light as it passes through. Expensive lenses also tend to be sharper across the entire image for the same reason. With cheaper lenses, manufacturers can’t afford to invest as much money in materials or research. They try to do their best, but compromises must be made, and #imagequality is one of the things that suffers. Your lens controls what you shoot.”
“The best camera you have is the one you have with you.”
Yeah, my shitty Google Pixel 3a
Definitely the lenses. Same camera body, but when I upgraded lens, my photo uploads became sharper.
Like everything is perfectly crisp
Sharp lens + Excellent lighting + tight apertures (f/8 - f/16) + Hair & Make-up + Post-processing.
even when they post to Facebook and social media programs that generally destroy resolution.
Google how to do that - FB, instagram etc et al won’t mangle your image if you export your JPG correctly.
Lowest ISO possible, proper lighting, and remember that lenses as a rule of thumb are sharpest around 2-3 stops above the base aperture. So for a F/2.8 lens, it will usually be sharpest until F/5.6-F/8. That doesn’t mean it’s unusable above that, and sure if you’re working with still objects you can focus stack to keep sharpness but nothing will be sharp if it’s not in focus, so for most photography it’s sort of a balance of variables.
When I finally figured out ISO it was a game changer for me. Cuts down on the noise in your photo.
The only time I’ve obtained similar sharpness was using art lenses up-close, but those are super heavy so I can’t imagine photographers are using them often
Why wouldn’t they be?
It’s like their primary lens.
Photography basics. Holding your elbows in for stability, resting your body against something stable, etc. In addition to stopping down for sharpness. Nowadays everyone wants to open the lens up completely cause bokeh.
Don’t shoot wide open. Great for bokeh. Bad for sharpness. Stopping down as much as the lighting will allow (You can claw back one stop in Lightroom without issue) will make a massive difference.
You’d be amazed at the results an 85mm 2.8 lens can do on a full frame camera stopped down a few and properly lit. Take that into photoshop and apply some selective sharpening and a few plugs-ins.
Good glass mainly
Are you uploading full resolution images? If you do, it compresses the hell out of it. Upload like 2000px on the long dimension.
I just went to NYCC to shoot cosplay. Watched a couple of YouTube videos about shooting in aperture priority for my old Nikon DSLR. Stuff is already starting to look better because now the flash doesn’t pop up. Shot night city buildings and day cosplayers. Still learning, but I feel like I’m heading in the right direction
In order of importance:
- Lens + Lighting (both important, and one cannot substitute the other)
- Sensor performance
- Post processing
- Export configuration