Self-timer help.

LucieBlue

LucieBlue

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Name
Lucie
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Hi there,

I am a student needing help with a Canon 450D.

I am doing some portfolio work for a website and am needing to take some good quality shots on self-timer with my camera. The only problem is they are blurry. Does anyone know what settings would give me good quality, crisp shots?

Helps would be much appreciated as I am a photography newbie.

Thanks
Lucie
 
Im photographing myself and other people - they are model shots but in self-timer mode. And my camera is currently set to "program" So i have no idea? Bare with me - im completely new to this!
 
Hi Lucie

The self timer is just a delay until the camera will fire, it has no bearing on the quality of the image.

If you are in program mode, can you tell us what shutter speed (1/60 1/200 etc) and aperture (F number F2.8, F22 etc) you are using?
 
LucieBlue said:
Bare with me - im completely new to this!
Click to expand...

That's OK, so am I. :D

If the camera is set to autofocus, then unless you've pre-focused to the right spot before pressing the button, then the camera won't alter the focus before it opens the shutter. Hope that makes sense.

That might not be the problem, of course.
 
Thankyou!

This is how all of my pictures are turning out. No matter how any of us stand or at what angle of the lens. Suggestions anyone? I think it might have something to do with the settings of the camera because my Nikon d40x does this too.

246m9ma.jpg
 
That is not in focus, looks like it has front focused. You need to set MF (manual focus) and focus before setting the timer.
 
Thankyou! How do i do this? And do I need to do this each time i turn the camera on?
 
As above, seems to be out of focus.

Are you pushing the button down half way until the camera starts to focus and then pushing it all the way to start the timer?

You shouldnt need to manual focus, auto should work fine for that kind of photo.
 
No it won't, when you press the trigger half way down it will try and focus. It will probably focus on the background as I assume you won't be in the picture yet. On this image the camera probably hunted for focus when to its minimum and then gave up or its currently on manual focus.

You need to set the lens on MF (manual focus) and manually focus on where you think you will be in the image (distance from camera) and then press the trigger.

Hope that makes sense...
 
Sorry, assumed the person in the pic wasnt her....teach me not to look properly!!

Yeah if there is nobody in the picture when you want to start the timer, you will have to focus manually on where you are going to be
 
Liam said:
No it won't, when you press the trigger half way down it will try and focus. It will probably focus on the background as I assume you won't be in the picture yet. On this image the camera probably hunted for focus when to its minimum and then gave up or its currently on manual focus.

You need to set the lens on MF (manual focus) and manually focus on where you think you will be in the image (distance from camera) and then press the trigger.

Hope that makes sense...
Click to expand...

Or get a friend to stand where you'll be standing and use a small aperture.
 
Assuming you're using the kit lens which has IS, turn it off when you're using a tripod.
 
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