Why are my indoor photos blurry?
Indoors there's far less light than you think, so the camera drops the shutter speed to compensate — and a slow shutter means blur from your hands or your subject moving.
Quick answer
Open the aperture as wide as your lens allows, raise ISO (or use Auto ISO with a cap), and keep the shutter at 1/100–1/200s for people. Add light or move toward a window when you can.
Causes & fixes
Dim light dropped the shutter
→ Open the aperture (f/1.8–f/2.8), raise ISO, and set a shutter floor around 1/125s for moving people.
Lens isn't fast enough
→ A fast prime (f/1.8) gathers far more light than a kit lens at f/5.6 — a cheap 50mm f/1.8 transforms indoor shots.
Autofocus hunting in low light
→ Aim at a contrasty edge, add a little light, or use the AF assist beam.
Settings to check
Mode: Aperture Priority or Manual + Auto ISO
keeps the aperture open and the shutter safe
Aperture: As wide as the lens allows
more light = faster shutter
Shutter floor: 1/125s for people
freezes everyday movement
Common mistakes
- Shooting at f/8 indoors.
- Forcing ISO 100 indoors and getting a blurry 1/15s shutter.
Got the shot that went wrong? Upload it and we'll read the EXIF and tell you exactly what to change.Fix a shot →
FAQ
What's the best lens for indoor photos?
A fast prime like a 35mm or 50mm f/1.8 — the wide aperture lets in several times more light than a kit zoom, so you can keep the shutter fast.
Learn more
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