Quick answer
Why do blurry photos hurt my business?
Blurry, dark or squashed photos hide the proof. They can make careful work look rushed, even when the job was spot on.
The jargon
The words you'll come across, in plain English.
- Resolution: how much detail a photo holds, in pixels.
- Digital zoom: zooming by cropping the picture, which throws away detail.
- Portrait mode: a phone setting that blurs the background. It can blur the wrong bits.
- Compression: shrinking a photo's file size, which can lose detail. WhatsApp does it by default.
- Original file: the full photo straight from your phone, not a screenshot or a shared copy.
Common causes
What causes blurry photos?
- A dirty lens
- The phone moving
- Focusing on the wrong thing
- Not enough light
- Zooming in
- A screenshot of a photo
- Photos sent back and forth on WhatsApp
What went wrong?
How do I check a photo is sharp?
Streaky all over: the phone moved. Background sharp, job soft: it focused on the wrong thing. Grainy with coloured speckles: not enough light. Blocky edges: it's been squashed or blown up.
- Wipe the lens with a clean soft cloth
- Get more light on it
- Tuck your elbows in, or lean on something solid
- Tap the job and let it focus
- Use the phone's own camera, not one inside another app
- Take a few, and check the best one zoomed in
Quick fixes
Can I fix a blurry photo?
Do this
Wipe the lens, add light, hold steady, tap the job and take three.
Not this
Sharpen a tiny WhatsApp screenshot until it looks fake.
Phone settings
Which phone camera settings should I use?
Use the normal photo mode. Portrait mode can blur pipes, tools and edges by mistake. The ultra wide lens can bend rooms near the edges. Digital zoom throws away detail, so step closer instead, if it's safe, or use your phone's built in 2x or 3x lens if it has one.
Turn on the grid if it helps keep walls straight. Don't shoot into a bright window. Never take a risk to get a photo.
Keep it sharp
How do I send photos without losing quality?
Send and keep the original, not a screenshot. WhatsApp shrinks photos by default: send them as a document, or at least choose HD. See our photo guide for how.
For everyone
Why does sharpness matter for everyone?
Clear photos with a short description are easier for everyone to understand. Never put important information only inside a photo.
Sources
Where this guide comes from.
Checked against these official pages on 27/10/2026. Next check due 27/01/2027. Things can change sooner, so check the official page before an important decision.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
Can a blurry photo be fixed?
A little, sometimes. Missing detail can't be put back. Take it again if you can.
Does WhatsApp make photos worse?
Usually, yes. It shrinks photos by default. Send them as a document, or at least choose HD.
What size should website photos be?
Your web designer should size them for the page. Keep the full size original.
Why is it sharp on my phone but soft on the website?
The website copy may have been squashed or blown up. Send the original and ask.
Should I use AI to sharpen a photo?
Be careful. AI can invent detail that wasn't there. For your own work, a fresh photo is safer.
Got a question?
Send us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.
We're happy to help, even if it's not about a website.
