📷 Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 16, 2026 · 21 MIN

📷 Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them

from Photography Explained Podcast · host Rick McEvoy

Send us Fan MailYou've taken what you thought was the perfect shot, but when you look at it later, it's blurry. Frustrating, right? 📸 This episode breaks down all seven main reasons your photos might be blurry and gives you practical fixes for each one.In this episode, you'll learn:✅ How camera shake ruins photos (and the proper technique to eliminate it)✅ The reciprocal rule for shutter speed that prevents blur✅ Why your focus might be off and how to manually control it✅ How to handle motion blur in your subjects✅ When shallow depth of field becomes a problem✅ Why a dirty lens makes everything soft (and how to keep yours clean)✅ How high ISO affects apparent sharpness (and when to use a tripod)Whether you're using a camera or your phone, these seven fixes will transform your photography. From the breathing technique that stops camera shake to the simple habit of cleaning your lens after every shoot, you'll get actionable advice you can use immediately.📸 What You'll Learn:✅ Tip 1: Camera Shake - You're Moving When You Press the ButtonLearn the proper holding technique, breathing method, and when to use a tripod.✅ Tip 2: Wrong Shutter Speed for Your Focal LengthThe reciprocal rule prevents blur. Using a 100mm lens? Minimum 1/100th second.✅ Tip 3: Your Focus Is Off - You've Focused on the Wrong ThingManually select the focus point and always check your shots.✅ Tip 4: Your Subject Is Moving - Motion BlurLearn exactly what shutter speeds you need for different subjects.✅ Tip 5: Shallow Depth of Field - Not Enough Is in FocusWhen to close down your aperture to keep everything sharp.✅ Tip 6: Dirty or Smudged LensClean your gear after every shoot - takes 30 seconds, makes a massive difference!✅ Tip 7: Low Light and High ISO - Noise Disguising as BlurUse a tripod to stick to ISO 100 for the highest quality.📱 For Phone Photographers:Everything applies to phone cameras too! Hold with both hands, use the volume button to shoot, tap to focus on the right spot, and clean that lens regularly!🔗 Related Episodes:Episode 222, The Best of The Photography Explained Podcast: 29 Essential Photography Tips That Actually MatterEpisode 220, The Photographer's Eye: See a Great Photo Before You Take ItEpisode 152, How My One Photo Rule Will Help You Take Better Photos⏭️ Next Episode:Episode 225 - I Just Got My First Camera - What Do I Do in the First Week?🎯 Your Action Step:Take 10 photos this week, but before each one, ask yourself "What could make this blurry?" Run through the seven things in your head.🌐 Website🎓 Courses📺 YouTube: Search "Rick McEvoy" on YouTube My brand new course Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico, will teach you exactly how to get out at sunrise and come back with photos you love  all told in plain English. it includes real footage of me photographing an actual sunrise in Mexico with an entry level camera. Find out more at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.  If you want to start taking stunning sunrise photos, and why wouldn't you,  check out my Photography for Beginners: Sunrise in Mexico course at rickmcevoyphotography.com/courses.Support the showGet your question answeredThis is what my podcast is all about: answering your photography questions. Just head over to my shiny new website to find out more about me, my podcast and my photography.Thanks very much for listeningCheers from me Rick

Send us Fan Mail You've taken what you thought was the perfect shot, but when you look at it later, it's blurry. Frustrating, right? 📸 This episode breaks down all seven main reasons your photos might be blurry and gives you practical fixes for each one. In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How camera shake ruins photos (and the proper technique to eliminate it) ✅ The reciprocal rule for shutter speed that prevents blur ✅ Why your focus might be off and how to manually control it ✅ How to handle...

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📷 Why Are My Photos Blurry? All the Reasons and How to Fix Them

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This episode is 21 minutes long.

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This episode was published on January 16, 2026.

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Send us Fan MailYou've taken what you thought was the perfect shot, but when you look at it later, it's blurry. Frustrating, right? 📸 This episode breaks down all seven main reasons your photos might be blurry and gives you practical fixes for each...

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