10 common camera mistakes every photographer makes

10 common camera mistakes every photographer makes

Camera Mistake No. 7: Shutter speed too fast for the flash

In-camera flash settings: flash shutter speed

This can catch you out when you’re shooting portraits outside with a fairly larger aperture to blur the background and you decide to use a bit of flash to fill in the shadows.

In some cases the camera refuses to fire because it has recognised that the shutter speed is too fast for the exposure to sync with the flash firing.

In this situation also usually gives you a clue by flashing the shutter speed in the viewfinder.


In other instances, however, the shutter will fire and the image has a black section because the shutter wasn’t fully open when the flash fired.

If you want to stick with the same aperture the solution is to use a neutral density filter on the lens to take out some of the light and allow a longer shutter speed.


Camera Mistake No. 8: Missing tripod quick release plate

4 tips for sharper shots when using a tripod

Quick release plates are very useful because they allow you to mount and unmount a camera on a tripod in a jiffy.

The problem is that they are quite small and unless you always leave one on your camera or always make sure that the plate is clicked properly back onto the tripod head after use, they are prone to going missing.

In an emergency a camera can be attached to a tripod head with elastic bands or even Gaffa tape, but it’s some way off ideal!


Another option is to look around to see if there’s anything else that can be pressed into service. Can the camera be rested on a wall for example?

Also consider pressing the camera onto the side of a tree or convenient post to help reduce some of the wobble.

You may need to push the camera’s sensitivity setting up a little to allow a safer hand-holding shutter speed.

If none of this works look to see if you can introduce more camera movement to make a creatively blurred image.

And if that’s not on, put it down to experience and head to the shops to buy a quick release plate for every camera you own.


9 secrets to using a tripod like a pro
How to set up a tripod for any type of shot
4 tips for sharper images when using a tripod
Best shutter speeds for every situation

Flash photography basics: every question answered

  • C. Mallon


  • spookiewon

    I shot my mother’s wedding without film. :)

  • Kirk Billingsley

    Someone actually wrote” Very Helpful”. LOL

  • Sandy Storm

    That really made me laugh.

  • Rob Bixby
