Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

uracowman · **I need some tips on how to produce sharper images -** 03-10-2009, 08:01 PM

I am new to the photo game and I have having some trouble getting subjects in focus on alot of my shots. My setup right now is an XSI, Canon 10-22, Canon 28-135 IS and a Sigma 70-200 F2.8 V1. Most of these image problems I have been having are with the sigma lens.

Everything except the vehicle pictures were taken without a tripod. Also, whenever I use the tripod, I always use the two second delay.

Dawn U · 03-10-2009, 08:15 PM

The red eared slider doesn't look too soft. It looks to me like it's nothing that isn't normal from an SLR and can't be cleaned up in Photoshop with some slight sharpening.

That said, though, the EXIF shows you were at a focal length of 200mm and a shutter speed of 1/60". As a general rule, if you're going to handhold a shot, you'll get less camera shake blurriness if your shutter speed is equal or greater to 1/focal length you're using. So, for example, if you'd had a shutter speed of 1/200th of a second, you probably wouldn't notice any softness at all, unless it's just the quality of the lens itself.

Butor · 08:17 PM

I checked the EXIF of your 1rst pic, i.e. the turtle one.
In my opinion, your shutter speed was too low (1/60 sec) for the selected focal lens (200mm) and ISO (200).
I suggest that you try at at least a speed of 1/200 or more. Plus, don't hesitate to increase also the ISO up to 400.
Further, the head of the turtle is too centered. Try to put it slighly on the left next time in order to follow the "rule of thirds".
See here : http://www.digital-photography-tips....or-thirds.html

Butor added 1 Minutes and 15 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Hi Dawn U.

I think that we are on the same page !!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn U

The red eared slider doesn't look too soft. It looks to me like it's nothing that isn't normal from an SLR and can't be cleaned up in Photoshop with some slight sharpening.

That said, though, the EXIF shows you were at a focal length of 200mm and a shutter speed of 1/60". As a general rule, if you're going to handhold a shot, you'll get less camera shake blurriness if your shutter speed is equal or greater to 1/focal length you're using. So, for example, if you'd had a shutter speed of 1/200th of a second, you probably wouldn't notice any softness at all, unless it's just the quality of the lens itself.

uracowman · 03-10-2009, 08:24 PM

What about the other photos? The main reason why I got into shooting was for vehicles. I don't know if it has something to do with my focus point, my metering, the lighting or human error, but I can never get sharp vehicle pictures.

Dawn U · 03-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Justin, honestly, they don't look soft to me.

Have you tried running a USM on them, see if that makes it more to your liking? I don't think it would take much.

You don't have permission to edit your pics turned on or I'd show you what I mean.

uracowman · 03-10-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn U

Justin, honestly, they don't look soft to me.

Have you tried running a USM on them, see if that makes it more to your liking? I don't think it would take much.

You don't have permission to edit your pics turned on or I'd show you what I mean.

go ahead and edit them. Come to think of it, I think my problem isn't necessarily sharpness, but the focus on the subject. I don't know if it I that is having the problem, the lens or the camera software.

BTW, some of these pictures have some post processing already, but nothing major. Increased contrast and a bt more/less light was added but nothing major.

Dawn U · 03-10-2009, 08:45 PM

This was just real quick. I ran a USM.

Maybe if the car was alone in the shot and not being able to see the car parked ahead of it?

uracowman · 03-10-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn U

This was just real quick. I ran a USM.

Maybe if the car was alone in the shot and not being able to see the car parked ahead of it?

that looks REALLY grainy

Dawn U · 03-10-2009, 08:55 PM

Looks fine on my monitor, but I'm on a laptop. I might have overdone the sharpening. Anyway, if you're already using a tripod, that's really my only suggestion. Hopefully someone with some other ideas will come along shortly.

AndrewCCM · 03-10-2009, 08:56 PM

Are you running any USM on your photos after the fact? Are you shooting RAW? Nearly all dSLR's require sharpening in post processing due to the filter that is in front of the sensor. That said, your lenses are probably not known to be the sharpest of lenses. A good prime lens will produce much better results straight from camera in my experience.