Why Your Portraits Aren’t Sharp – 4 Mistakes That Ruin Image Quality

Are your photos just a little soft—even when it feels like you nailed the focus? In this video, I’ll break down the four biggest reasons your images might not be sharp and exactly how to fix each one. From incorrect autofocus settings to using the wrong shutter speed with continuous lighting, we’ll cover the most common technical mistakes that sabotage sharpness in portrait photography. You’ll also learn how depth of field impacts image clarity and why flash duration is more important than shutter speed when freezing motion in the studio. Throughout the video, I use real-world examples from recent photoshoots—including close-up portraits and full-body fashion shots—to demonstrate what went wrong and how I corrected it. And stick around for the bonus section at the end, where I show you how to test your lens in case your blur issues are hardware related. If you’re serious about mastering studio photography and capturing consistently sharp portraits, this is a must-watch. 🎓 Join The Academy: https://johngress.com/academy/ 📖 Get My Lighting Handbooks: https://johngress.com/lightinghandbooks/ 📸 Attend an In-Person Workshop: https://johngress.com/workshops/ 👔 Model: https://www.instagram.com/kylemmook/ Gear Used: Canon R5 Mark II Adorama: https://howl.me/cmGHhNpXDZw Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cJZyir B&H: https://bhpho.to/3Yc4YyB Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip for EOS R5 Mark II Adorama https://howl.me/cm5MF0r2iLL Amazon https://amzn.to/3B3Bg5f B&H https://bhpho.to/3XJFyaT Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWi7o2f Amazon https://amzn.to/2Z4GOd5 B&H https://bhpho.to/3HkgKNY Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnaWYcCHb Amazon https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm B&H https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na Nanlite Nanlite PavoTube II 30C 4′ 55W RGBWW LED Tube 4-Light KitAdorama https://howl.me/ckfZUfMSHeWAmazon https://amzn.to/3rJgmUaNanlite https://nanlite.pxf.io/m5GW7yB&H https://bhpho.to/3rSengz Nanlite Compac 200B Adjustable Bicolor LED Panel Adorama https://howl.me/cjFTJEu8k2N Amazon https://amzn.to/3mXYzUP Nanlite https://nanlite.pxf.io/x93BBk B&H https://bhpho.to/42v0bap Flash lighting Elinchrom FIVE Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmUpjV1 Amazon https://amzn.to/3Um6V61 B&H https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ Elinchrom ELC Pro HD 500 monolight Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmNwUld Amazon https://amzn.to/3rPBOmL B&H https://bhpho.to/3HkLr5E Elinchrom ELC 500 Studio Monolight Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmb4t6R Amazon https://amzn.to/2PzMLGP B&H https://bhpho.to/3oJXVx7 Elinchrom THREE Adorama https://howl.me/ckOHJkaLdm0 Amazon https://amzn.to/4dgoPl8 B&H https://bhpho.to/46Sg90q Elinchrom ONE Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmxwjA4 Amazon https://amzn.to/3pbNkvm B&H https://bhpho.to/3VdWeUY Elinchrom Indirect Litemotiv Octa Softbox 190cm (75”) Adorama https://howl.me/cjCnmmmWLgl Amazon https://amzn.to/3GZa45L B&H https://bhpho.to/3oOM4Oq Elinchrom 8.3" Standard Reflector with 30 Degree Grid Adorama https://howl.me/ckXfvvRu20T B&H https://bhpho.to/4731i3t Elinchrom 8.3" Barndoors Kit Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dEuEAQjR Amazon https://amzn.to/3R2IZoD B&H https://bhpho.to/3MMEooY Elinchrom 8.3" Grid Kit Adorama https://howl.me/ck1dCSPTlvr B&H https://bhpho.to/49CXIPo Filter Tiffen 82mm Black Pro Mist 1/4 Special Effects Filter Adorama https://howl.me/ck1duEam7cq Amazon https://amzn.to/3QLzeuC B&H https://bhpho.to/46hjSDV Grip Studio Titan Camera Stand STA-01-360 MK2 Adorama https://howl.me/cjGcfVD3aCG B&H https://bhpho.to/3cf4RfL Studio Titan Rack & Pinion Geared Crank Stand STA-06-200 Studio Titan https://studiotitanamerica.com/collections/shop-lighting-stands/products/sta-06-200 B&H https://bhpho.to/44Bj1y9 Kupo Big Boom Adorama https://howl.me/cmQVOONs4oa Amazon https://amzn.to/3YHNBFU B&H https://bhpho.to/3Aj3wk5 V-FLAT WORLD Foldable V-Flat 2.0, Black/White, 2-Pack Adorama https://howl.link/0j89ul59ilx07 Amazon https://amzn.to/3EL5UCj B&H https://bhpho.to/41lKOmU V-Flat World https://bit.ly/3fXqaid DGK Color Tools Lens Test Chart https://howl.link/jg64qzyq4wpth ⏱ Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:58 - 1. AF Settings 02:27 - 2. Slow Shutter Speeds 03:54 - 3. Depth of Field 04:55 - DOF Comparisson 06:27 - Full Body DOF Example 07:15 - 4. Flash Duration 11:39 - 5. Bonus - Physical Damage 13:22 - Final Thoughts #PortraitPhotography #PhotographyTips #StudioPhotography #SharpenYourPhotos #CameraSettings