PatM Loc: Rocky Mount Mo.

Good Afternoon
I have discovered in my learning process that I have propensity to try to take too many photos at too many different settings and ignoring my own advice to others to take first shot in auto. This has caused me to make my first very regrettable mistake.
In my zest to use Manual and be the greatest photographer of all time, I find now that I am accidentally enabling the timer on the camera and not recognizing the problem. Until now. In a previous post I had made a complaint about my photos being blurred and there were many good comments. Thank you to those who have tried to help. I think now that this has been one of my problems all along. Some will think and others will tell me how stupid that was to not recognize what I was doing. Believe me I am mortified at my stupidity.
By admitting to my errors Publicly I hope to take note and not make this elemental mistake again. It is somewhat humiliating.
Now that I have done this I do have a question and then a request.
Q: is there any way to repair the aforementioned photo. It is blurred by what we now know was movement of the camera. The photo was taken in jpg and highest level of raw the camera settings have. The photo is recognizable as what it is intended to be but has much blur. I can put it online but am waiting to see if any blurring due to camera movement can be repaired. I have photoshop and am software literate but no time using it.
Request: I know that the best way to learn is practice practice practice. But in your experience are there any things you did while you were a very novice photographer (I can’t even claim the title of “photographer” of any kind”) That you could pass along that would be helpful to avoid? Things to be careful not to do. Things you had done in error that could be avoided easily. You could send it in a private message if you would prefer.
Thank You all in advance.
Pat

canon Lee

Hi Pat. firstly you need stop referring to yourself as "stupid"! Use uninformed instead. I am sure you are gifted at something that I would feel stupid about.
I bought my first Nikon/portrait lens many yrs ago for no particular reason. I didn't read the manual but still shot away, not even noticing how bad the shots were. There wasn't the internet ( back then) with great sites such as YouTube, where it would have been very easy and time saving for me to learn about the camera. You Pat have the opportunity to learn how to become a good photographer. Knowledge is power, and don't be over amazed at some of us here that might think they are the "gods of photography", because, like you, we all started just where you are now, taking lousy photos and not knowing why. One day you will be giving others help with their photography.
There is no way that a blurry photo can be saved, but there are programs like Light room that will improve exposure, compensating for the original settings.
I suggest you go to YouTube and lean about exposure. Be brave and learn in manual mode, for this will let you know really fast if the settings were right or wrong. Manual mode is a good way to learn.... Good luck Pat.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Just realize 90% of the time malfunctions in the camera are "User related".. If you use this approach you will most likely figure out the problem. Always remember you can reset your camera to factory defaults settings as well, this will remove anything you have Mistakenly changed. We've all Been There, Done That........

d3200prime

Hi Pat and don't beat yourself up. If I was a betting man I would wager all I have that everyone has made the same or similar mistakes. It takes a really big person to admit these errors and I admire you for it. In answer to your question about the blurring: no I am afraid you are out of luck. I know of no software that can fix a blurry shot. I could post myriads of mistakes I made before I learned the principles of photography well enough to make some decent shots but really you must walk the road of your own mistakes and you will if you love photography and will laugh about the errors you make along your way. Photography requires much thought at first until all basics become second nature and then there are no guarantees. So learning by some means then putting what is learned to practice is necessary but stopping and thinking out the process before you take the shot is most imperative. When you take a bad shot examine what went wrong. Was it camera shake? Learn different stability stances to improve or use a tripod. Was it to slow of a shutter speed? On and on it goes but you will learn eventually and take pride in your accomplishments. Get to know your camera and be able to adjust settings in the dark. Read books or watch videos. I recommend watching a video on www.udemy.com named "Photography-Ditch Auto-Start Shooting in Manual". It's FREE but don't think just because it's FREE it isn't worth watching. Of course there are many other books, videos, etc but which ever you use just keep in mind that one day things will begin to click in place in your mind and you will be the photographer you desire. When you fall off the horse get right back on. Good shooting to you and a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Back in my real early days (no lightmeter and only manual focus and no focusing aids) I took notes: what the lighting conditions were and what settings I used and what film I was using. Then analysed the photographs when they came back from being processed.
The next step was leaning how to use a lightmeter. Mostly similar principals apply for the in camera metering.

Learn the basics, the "exposure triangle", how to read and see light (not just measure it), and how to read a histogram.
There are some good books around
Nowdays I only use manual exposure mode when I feel the lighting conditions may fool the in-camera metering system or I am shooting'scapes on a triopd.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

You have shown the most important quality. Realizing, no mater how long it takes, what went wrong. Congratulations!

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

It was a dumb mistake not a stupid mistake. EVERYBODY makes dumb mistakes.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Pat, you are a photographer already, just one that is in the learning mode. Back when I started I had a great friend who was twice my age and knew how to take excellent photos whenever he picked up a camera. I learned not only photography from him (exposure, composition, etc, etc) but developing my own B&W film to save money. I do not know if it saved me any money but it surely expanded my overall knowledge of photography. He also introduced me to formats larger than 35mm and as a result I bought some larger format cameras which resulted in additional knowledge. What all this may mean to you is that having a friend or relative that is knowledgeable in our hobby or potential business is a quick way to learn. UHH members are also a great help but having a mentor on your shoots is even better.

Digital photography allows you to see your success and failures almost instantly. This is a huge advancement above having a darkroom like some of us were fortunate to have. You may also have a junior collage or collage that offers photography classes. Like some of the other members here have already stated, there is no such thing as a stupid question except for the one(s) we do not ask. You may also have a photography store close to you that deals in photography. I am not talking about a Best Buy or Walmart where the workers may or may not know what they are talking about. I have had a couple close to me here in Raleigh and many more within an hour or so. They will also help your learning curve and will assist you in not only the basics but advancement beyond. They realize that giving you free, knowledgeable help may result in a future sale of equipment. 90% of the money I have invested in equipment is from the two local stores.

Take your time, ask for specific help and enjoy the results of photography.

Greg

PatM Loc: Rocky Mount Mo.

Thank You All for the Kind words of encouragement. I am always my hardest critic. This endeavor and others. Merry Christmas to you all or Happy Holidays to your preferred celebration.
🇺🇸😎

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Pat, don't we all learn from our mistakes? I see nothing humiliating here. If you learn from your mistakes you are not alone and you are on the right track. If you were using the self timer hand holding the camera that is a NO-N0 but if you do use the self timer while the camera is on a tripod and better yet, with mirror up you are looking for super sharp photographs. Make sure you engage the mirror if you are going to shoot hand held.
I keep on making mistakes and I keep on learning.
Once blurred there is no way you can make that shot sharp.
Merry Christmas.

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

Pat...we all had to start somewhere and be right where you are. There is a lot to learn. For sure. These things really made a difference for me...it took about a year. 1. Decide you will shoot regularly and plan trips and outings accordingly....so you get good muscle memory and continue to fail forward by the mistakes you will make. Making mistakes still is one of my best teachers. 2. Consider a good workshop with competent teachers that get you out in the field in the AM and PM with teachings during the mid day. PM if you want some suggestions...there are teachers and tour guides...you want both at the beginning. Here you will you leap forward...I would consider this ASAP so you do not form bad habits.
Best of luck and happy shooting!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Pat, there are two basic elements to photography. One is equipment and the other is your own eye and brain. I usually tell beginners to shoot A LOT and keep track of all the particulars of each shot. Then compare the results carefully and remember what worked best. Eventually knowing how to shoot something will become second nature. The second is harder to develop if it doesn't come naturally. It's also very personal. Getting professional critique on your images as you go will help. Being blatantly objective about what you "like" and "don't like" in your own work and other's work will help you develop interests and styles that work for you.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Got married.
Three times.
Yes, we all make dumb mistakes.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Repair in post depends on the amount of blurring. You're given several options - lens blur, motion blur, Gaussian blur, etcetera. Each one causes it's own degrade if taken too far.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Some blurred photos can be saved, others cannot. Mainly related to how much blur. The "save" will not be perfect, but may be acceptable.

Post the photo you are referring to, and check "store original" before clicking "add attachment".