How to get sharper images on Canon Powershot SX430 when using the self timer or continuous shots

Self timer? Are you using a tripod? Can you post an image? Given the self timer being used and the low iso for fine grain, I am wondering what shutter speed is being used. If the shutter is not freezing action then you will have a blurry image.

Why is S being used for image size? Do you have a space issue?

 

Seems that looking at the ones with the tree in a box behind you that the focus may be grabbing from center of the image and not doing a good job of face detection. On page 55 begins the focusing pages of the user manual but the key I would suggest is below.... Its called a focus lock, and helps when subjects are off center and focus may have issues identifying what it should lock onto. There is a box that displays where the focus is looking, and it may try to average between two objects middle of the frame, for example you and that tree. That's where using focus lock is helpful.

https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/4/0300025934/02/pssx430is-cu-en2.pdf User guide link.



Using S you will get a low resolution file, maybe around 2 or 3 megapixels, rather than the full 20megapixels that the camera is capable of (L). You can always use a photo editor to export new copy of the original as a smaller version of the full res file for web usage. Uploading a lower res image to Instagram having them do their compression to the file and then displaying on a webpage may have added some softness to the overall image if you didn't start with a higher resolution image in the beginning. In short, start big and scale down as needed