Sharpness: how clearly detail is rendered in a photograph

How important is it to you to ensure that your images are sharp? I mean seriously tack-sharp. Or is the image itself more important than it’s sharpness? Or are both equally important? Can you think of a scenario where one takes priority over the other?

You might think it’s a pointless issue because all you want to do is take photographs. If that’s the case then you’ve already answered the question. But, if you’re still pondering then I would suggest that you’re on the right track. Put yourself in the viewer’s shoes when reviewing your images. What would the they see and say? And please…lets not go down that road of everyone being nice and polite and not wanting to offend anyone’s feelings just because lack of sharpness detracts from the image itself.. And let’s not get sucked into the slough of despond trying to figure the answer. Surely it’s a no-brainer?

Take a look at a random selection of wildlife images on any social media platform and ask yourself ,’How many are tack-sharp?’. Still unsure? Then how many would you pay money for?

If you’re a serious photographer then surely sharpness has to be a priority? Let’s put it another way: how many world-leading global image companies (like Getty Images or Shutterstock) would accept your photographs for their commercial stock? This may not be what you’re looking for but it’s a good rule of thumb.

I would suggest that a lot of photographers just aren’t interested in pursuing the idea of sharpness. So be it…whatever rocks your boat. But please don’t expect to rock anyone else’s.

I really do believe that anyone can create tack-sharp images. It’s not rocket science! It’s know-how. I’ve written about this in detail elsewhere so I’m not about to repeat myself. Just to say that at some point in your ‘journey’ you’re going to have to decide one way or the other: Sharp or Sod It: Your choice my friends. There is no half-way house. Images are sharp or they’re not.

So is there an upside to images that are tack-sharp? For sure there is: the world is sharp, fur and feather are sharp, life is sharp…let’s stop pretending otherwise. Our images should reflect that.

This is not the pursuit of the unobtainable. We’re not looking for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. We can get it right. We can create tack-sharp images. We just have to want to.

As I said, I firmly believe that anyone can do it.

You can do it my friends.

Never give up.

Happy snappin’