why does my camera (EOS REBEL XS) take blurry pictures

[plc4d]

why does my camera (EOS REBEL XS) TAKE BLURRY PICTURES?

[ScottyP]

My guess would be too slow a shutter speed. Does it happen a lot less if you are out in bright sunshine? Are you using the auto settings (auto or P)?

[Skirball]

Either it's slow shutter as mentioned above, or you accidently moved the switch (ON THE LENS) that turns it to manual focus.  If you post up a photo we could probably tell you which it is.

If using a semi-auto setting like Av the camera will use long shutter speeds if needed to get proper exposure.  If you're trying to take shots indoors, then this is probably what's happening.

[TCampbell]

There are a few reasons you can end up with a blurry image:

1)  Improper camera settings based on the type of image you were taking (mostly due to the shutter speed being too slow to be a hand-held shot, or the subject was moving too fast for the shutter speed you set.)  If the subject isn't moving and also if the camera isn't moving, then the shutter can be open as long as necessary to get a great exposure with no blur -- which means you'd want to use a tripod (or other device that prevent the camera from moving.)

This is usually the most likely reason for the issue you describe.  If you're new to photography with a DSLR camera, a highly recommended book is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.  It's written for beginners so he's careful to explain concepts using terms that everyone would understand.  The Scott Kelby Digital Photography series is also popular (I think that's up to four books now.)

2)  The camera didn't focus on your intended subject.  There can be a lot of reasons why this happens.  It's possible there wasn't enough light to allow the auto-focus system to get a lock.  It's possible there was a distracting element in the frame which was closer than your intended subject.  It's possible the camera AF mode was set to AI Servo and you didn't wait for the camera to finish focusing before fully pressing the shutter button.  It's possible the AF/MF switch on the lens was set to the MF position so the camera didn't even try to focus.  The list goes on.  

If this is the issue, then there's a series of videos by Canon's Rudy Winston did at B&H Photo.  These are all posted to YouTube and free.  It's in three parts and is well worth the investment of time -- once you watch it, you'll understand WHY the camera behaves the way it does when it comes to focus and everything will finally make sense.

Part 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAx86nblZ2g

Part 2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_F7lCvp5DI

Part 3:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTWiN9kLts

3)  Lastly... it's possible that a camera or lens could be damaged and incapable of focusing.  This is usually the least likely reason but it's possible.

If you can post an image showing an example of what you mean and, VERY important... please DO leave the EXIF data in the image.  The EXIF data is hidden information in your image that the camera records.  It tells us information about the camera model, lens model, exposure information, and other settings.   That info is very useful as we can usually quickly tell if your exposure settings were adequate.

Regards,

Tim

[Lizcannon]

My AF mode is set to one shot and I have the center focus point set. When taking a picture with a single persone I focus the center point on the subjects eye, press halfway down focus and shoot. Where do you place the focus point when you are shooting two people and you want both subjects to be sharp and in focus?

[ebiggs1]

That depends how they are positioned.  Are they side by side or one in front of the other?

All lenses have a given DOF (depth of field).  So not just the "eye" is going to be in focus in most situations.  Also as the aperture gets smaller (a larger number f2--->f8)  will have more of the subject(s) in focus.

[Lizcannon]

If They are side by side where would I put the focus point so both subjects are sharp?

[ebiggs1]

You can focus on either and hold the shutter button 1/2 way than recompose the shot to where you want it.

[ScottyP]

Set a higher f/number, like f/8 or f/11 if there is enough light to stop it down like that. It will give you more depth of field to work with. Then focus on the nearer face and recompose, or maybe you can even get away with letting the camera pick the AF points.

[Mindylee22]

How would I change the f/number? I don't see an option for that on my canon rebel xsi. I am getting blurry pictures on all setting except the TV setting. Shutter speed sounds extremely slow