So I just bought a Canon XTi this weekend and went to EPCOT at Disney to try it out. I feel like I have good ideas about framing but the pics never come out as clear as I want them to. What am I doing wrong?

I'm a complete noob to SLRs and Photoshop so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Define 'clear'. Do you mean sharp, in focus? Or do you mean properly exposed?

I really like #2. Thought it was underexposed at first, but then saw the clouds.

 

I guess sharp, in focus. A photo that really pops. Maybe that's a function of the glass I'm using?

 

focus!!!

 

That certain something you always think SLR shots have.....its all post processing.

 

What's the Exif on those shots? A lot of soft photos seem that way because:

1) Aperture / distance made for shallow depth of field.

2) Make sure your shutter isn't slowing down too much for the focal length.

Otherwise, add a little USM in Photoshop or whatever you PP in. You are shooting RAW, right?

 

1. its out of focus. a tripod would have helped and when you meter, meter for the upper part of the building on manual, the you can work on the focusing. adjusting your wb to cloudy helps sometimes too in alleys

2. image is really sharp. you can go into PS and adjust your layer and it comes out nicely. i even checked on my computer :]

 

I'm coming around on shot #2. The first one I thought that the camera would take care of it and auto focus but I guess it has it's limitations. Here's the data on #1: 1/125, f/16, 18mm

 

Jim, just keep shooting. When I got my camera I sat down each night and tried to learn something new in the manual until I had most of the functions down. As time goes you will find that "sweet" spot. Post processing also helps like others mentioned.

If we meet this weekend be sure to bring the camera.

 

Jim

What picture style are you using? When I shoot Jpeg (almost never) I have a picture style customized that bumps up the sharpness and tweak the saturation a little bit too. I call it my Cibachrom setting for the way it reminds me of shooting slides and printing direct to cibachrome paper.

What lens are you using? If it is the 18-55 kit lens, it is an ok lens but a little soft. I am using the 18-200 Sigma and you have seen some of my images on the Fla-Fla forum.

pm me if you have any questions.

Chip