Quick answer: most photo quality problems come from three settings and one thing: shutter speed (between 1/60 and 1/125), ISO (low and fixed, not Auto), focus, and enough light. On a USB camera, set the camera dial to M first so the app can change these settings.
Use this guide when photos come out blurry, grainy (noisy), dark, grey and flat, washed out or all white. It covers both the iPad/iPhone camera and connected USB cameras.
Match your photo to a card, then try the fix. Examples are simulated.
Why are my photos blurry?
There are two main causes: the shutter speed is too slow, or the focus is wrong.
Check the shutter speed
USB camera: set the shutter speed to 1/125 to rule it out. Don't go below 1/60.
iPad/iPhone camera: use 1/60 or faster. A red warning icon in Camera Settings means the shutter speed is slower than 1/60.
⚠️ Important: avoid Auto shutter indoors on the iPad/iPhone camera. iOS often picks slower speeds, which causes blur.
Check the focus (USB camera)
Set the focus where your guests will stand.
Switch the lens or camera to MF (manual focus) so it stays there.
💡 Tip: you can use autofocus if you have enough light. Keep the aperture number high (like F8 or more) so more of the scene is in focus.
Glass or acrylic in front of the lens? It can confuse autofocus. Use manual focus.
Why are my photos grainy or noisy?
Grain usually means the ISO is too high. A high ISO makes the camera more sensitive to light, but adds noise.
Keep the ISO low and the shutter speed fast, and add light so the camera doesn't need a high ISO.
iPad/iPhone camera: these max out at about ISO 1728. If you see this, there isn't enough light. Move guests closer to the booth and the light, and lower the ISO.
💡 Tip: the iPad front camera has limits. For better quality at a distance, use a better iPad camera or connect a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Why are my photos dark, grey or flat?
There isn't enough light. Add a flash or more lights, or raise the ISO (a higher ISO brightens the photo but adds some grain). Keep guests at a set distance from the booth.
USB camera: set the camera dial to M (Manual). In other modes the app may not let you change some settings.
iPad photos still dark after raising Exposure? You have hit the maximum ISO. Add more light.
Only the live view is dark when using a flash (Canon)? See Troubleshooting: Dark Liveview (Canon).
Why are my photos washed out or all white?
Set the camera to M, don't use Bulb shutter speed, and don't use Auto ISO. Full steps with pictures: Photos sometimes coming out "all white"?.
💡 Tip: shooting outside with the iPad camera and photos are too bright? This is the one case where we recommend setting the shutter speed to Auto.
What camera settings should I start with?
Adjust for the lighting at each event. Good starting points for a USB camera in M mode:
With strobe flash: ISO around 200, aperture F11 (stay above F5.6, F11 is ideal), shutter speed 1/125 (a speed your camera can sync with your flash). Adjust aperture first, then flash power, then ISO (no higher than 800 with flash on most cameras).
With constant lighting (LED panels): lights at full brightness, ISO 200, aperture F8, shutter speed 1/125.
✅ Recommended: use a fixed ISO and a flash or enough light. Full details: Recommended USB Camera Settings: Focus, Flash & Lighting. iPad camera settings: How to: iPad/iPhone Camera Setup.
Other quality problems
Why do my photos look pixelated?
If the camera photo is much bigger than the photo area in your template, set the camera's image quality to a smaller JPG size such as S1.
Why do photos look less clear on one template?
Check whether that template has a filter turned on in the template settings. Filters change the look of the photo.
⚠️ Important: photos already taken can't be edited or re-uploaded to the gallery. The originals stay on your camera's memory card.
Prints look different from the digital photos?
Check Sharpening for prints in Event Settings > Capture Settings > Advanced Capture Settings.
Colours look wrong or too saturated? See Colors of your prints looking wrong?.
Common questions
What shutter speed should I use?
What shutter speed should I use?
Between 1/60 and 1/125. When using a flash, 1/125 is the maximum.
Should I use Auto ISO?
Should I use Auto ISO?
No. Set a fixed ISO (like 200) and use a flash or enough light.
Why is the yellow or blue tint different between photos and live view?
Why is the yellow or blue tint different between photos and live view?
Check white balance in Camera Settings: the top setting is for the photo and the lower one is for the live view.
Can I just use autofocus?
Can I just use autofocus?
Yes, if you have enough light and a high aperture number. If photos are blurry or the camera hunts for focus, switch to manual focus.
Still stuck? Message us in chat with your device, camera and event name, and a screenshot if you can. See How to Contact Booth.Events Support.