tack sharp images - help needed to save sanity.

[tirediron]

Sharpness isn't something that happens in post; sharpness is captured in the original image. You've definitely got the gear, no question, so if you're not getting sharp images, it's either a fault with the gear (Unlikely IMO) or an issue with technique. Can you post one or two of yours which you feel aren't sharp enough for viewing?

[Travis]

Yes... you definitely have the gear...

If you are mostly shooting soft the problem is either -

1. Your hand holding technique

2. Your selection of aperture/shutter/iso

3. Your focal selection

and if your still shooting jpeg then also -

4. Your in camera sharpness settings are too passive

Post some examples with exif if you really want if pinned down..

[Marko]

My instinct is shutter speed and how you are holding the camera.
BOTH make a monster difference.

I've said this several times but in my experience I was able to shoot slower on film. I find that 1/60 is often too slow for shots I had no trouble with with film.

I'd recommend experimenting with faster shutter speeds to see if it helps.

[tomorrowstreasures]

ok. so it IS me - THAT is a a huge relief!!!! i would MUCH rather it be my fault than the gear!!! with the amount i have invested in equipment, i was terrified that i went the wrong direction. i will upload some images here in a bit to see if they can be pp to clean them up.... at which point, maybe a few more hints?

[kat]

ok. so it IS me - THAT is a a huge relief!!!! i would MUCH rather it be my fault than the gear!!! with the amount i have invested in equipment, i was terrified that i went the wrong direction. i will upload some images here in a bit to see if they can be pp to clean them up.... at which point, maybe a few more hints?

You are not alone! I'm glad you asked this question!!! Can't wait to see how this thread progresses because it will be great info to me!!!

[GregL]

You are not alone! I'm glad you asked this question!!! Can't wait to see how this thread progresses because it will be great info to me!!!

I was also going to raise a question about this. It's really one of the things that I want to try to achieve this year in my photography. Tack sharp images.

I don't have the gear that tomorrowtreasures has (just jealous...really I am ) but I think my gear is good enought to make the issue - me.

One question I have right now is, I use auto focus completely. Is that part of my problem? I do try to be selective about the autofocus points.

Not trying to steal your thread tomorrowtreasures - I think you've hit on a issue dear to the heart of many of us.

thanks

[Travis]

I was also going to raise a question about this. It's really one of the things that I want to try to achieve this year in my photography. Tack sharp images.

I don't have the gear that tomorrowtreasures has (just jealous...really I am ) but I think my gear is good enought to make the issue - me.

One question I have right now is, I use auto focus completely. Is that part of my problem? I do try to be selective about the autofocus points.

Not trying to steal your thread tomorrowtreasures - I think you've hit on a issue dear to the heart of many of us.

thanks

Most focus servos select the closest point with contrast in your frame. So, if you are taking a picture of a person with their arm/hand/finger pointing toward the camera it will most likely choose that point. Depending on your aperture setting and distance from subject this may throw the subject face way outta focus.

I don't trust auto focus selection much. It's just another thing you can blame the camera on when a good image goes wrong. A better method is control the focus by using fixed point. Use it and select the eyes of you subject (assuming portraiture).


EDIT: Sorry, I just reread your post and it looks like you do select your focus points. This means you are just using the focus motor to get you there. This is totally common practice(excluding macro work) and you should generally be able to trust your camera to correctly focus on the point you selected.

If you are selecting focus points and images are not sharp it's -

1. Shutter speed is too slow
2. ISO value too high
3. Aperture is too wide to render the entirety of your subject in focus

[tomorrowstreasures]

by the by -
please contribute heavily to this thread!!! none of us want to look at blurry pictures, right? LOL AND this is exactly what the forum is about!!! sharing and learning!!! abuse this thread so that we can all improve and those who have the know how can feel good about that end of things!

Thanks for the nice compliments about the gear! I have a tendency to second guess my decision making on things of that nature, so it is soooo good to know that it is ok! Phew!

[edbayani11]

i think they have said everything to improve the sharpness of your photograps. very good advice.
may i add, try testing the slowest shutter speed that your hand can handle and then go one stop higher and maybe try to use a shorter focal length to add dof

[tomorrowstreasures]

how do i do that >>>>> Post some examples with exif if you really want if pinned down