Finding that your images are blurred can be a real disappointment especially if you have gone to some lengths to get the shot you wanted or if the shot would have had some value for you or someone else.

Blurred images, as well as being common, are also difficult, even with digital cameras, to see at the picture taking stage. The small LCD screen on most digital cameras can make even blurred images appear to be sharp, especially if there is a lot of ambient light making the screen difficult to visualise.

Sometimes, it is only when you see your images on the computer screen that you realise that the pictures are blurred. Then it is too late.

Here's how to avoid blurred images:

1. Prepare yourself beforehand: know what shot you are going to take, how and when. Make sure you are in control of your camera settings and that you keep the subjects (where appropriate) under some sort of control. In this way you will avoid hurriedly taken shots.

2. Focus accurately: it may sound simple, but even automatic focussing can be beset with difficulties - know where your camera is focussing (centre, off-centre) and how the mechanism works; ensure there is enough light to focus with and avoid focussing on flat or highly reflective surfaces

3. Get the eyes!: in any sort of portrait or group shot, the eyes are the most important part - a subject with out of focus eyes wil look abnormal and less appealing

4. Correct your shutter speed: if you use a slow shutter speed (less than 1/60th second) then you will be at risk of blur from camera shake.

5. Consider flash: if there is fast action or movement, especially in lower light, you will get movement blur - use your flash to freeze the subject

6. Think about manual: most cameras can shoot quite happily on automatic mode, but sometimes it is wise to change to semi-automatic or manual mods; in this way you can be sure of choosing the right settings for the shot and thereby avoid blurred images

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com

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