Image softness

[Yisehaq]

Hi Marco,
I think I have heard all your podacast and they are fantastic. I learned a lot hope to practice them too.

I don't know if this could be a podcast or part of a podcast or if you have covered it in a podcast that I haven't heard please forward me to it.

I mostly have a problem of lack of image sharpness.My pictures are not as sharp as I wanted them to be. If you remember the picture of the Monk in the forest I upload for critique.

The gear I use is 350D with the lens that came with it 18-55 EFS and Also I use APO sigma 75-300.
Please don't tell me to buy new gears before I get to take pictures confidently. For me budget is an issue.

P.S. Do you have any site that contains FREE ebook to download from.

thanks and I highely appreciate your effort.

[Marko]

Thanks for the compliment Yishaq and at this point I would NOT suggest buying another lens so you can sleep easy.

A couple of things come to mind right away..

1 - Are you sharpening your images in a graphics program? You should.

2 - Are you aware that some camera models have a setting IN CAMERA (accessed by one of the menus) that controls sharpness (at least in mine there is). Check your manual and make sure that those settings are at neutral or adding a bit of sharpness.

Obviously you must actively focus on the area of interest for it to be sharp, but even when the subject is in sharp focus in camera, you'll likely need 'some' sharpening in a graphics program. Other things that can cause soft images include too slow of a shutter speed/camera shake.

(What lens - aperture and shutter speed did you use for that monk shot)

Let me know if you think this helps OR if you think there is a problem with your current lens.

Best!
Marko

[Yisehaq]

Well, I don't use sharpening in programes. The Monk Shot was taken At F 20, 1/60 shutter speed, ISO 800. I increase the ISO because it became to dark for me. I guess should have opened up the appreture?!!
My lens was 70-300 Sigma and was taken at 300mm.
I took the pucture in RAW and set the whole parameter like contrast etc. at 0 thinking that I could adjust it on CS2 but the big problem is the sharpness for me.
As a caution in all my shots I make sure that the focus confirmation is on and is not blinking.

What should I use in CS2 to sharpen is it the Unsharp mask?

[Marko]

Well, I don't use sharpening in programes. The Monk Shot was taken At F 20, 1/60 shutter speed, ISO 800. I increase the ISO because it became to dark for me. I guess should have opened up the appreture?!!
My lens was 70-300 Sigma and was taken at 300mm.
I took the pucture in RAW and set the whole parameter like contrast etc. at 0 thinking that I could adjust it on CS2 but the big problem is the sharpness for me.
As a caution in all my shots I make sure that the focus confirmation is on and is not blinking.

What should I use in CS2 to sharpen is it the Unsharp mask?

That tells a lot -
OK - first off your MINIMUM shutter speed for hand holding the camera should be 1/the focal length of the lens - so in this case 1/300 or maybe even 1/400 NOT 1/60 - That's one BIG problem right away.

THEN once that problem is solved you could use the unsharp mask in cs2.

hope that helps

Marko

[Yisehaq]

I always think a could shoot an acceptable picture each time but I have to learn/remember something from the outcome. Learn, Learn learn......
I will be patient and hope to reach my goal sometime. I enjoy playing around anyway.
Thanks

[Marko]

There are basic rules to any discipline or craft.

In photography there are bunches of these basics that all work together to create a great image. When any one of them is not followed, the final image often suffers to a certain degree.

Of course rules are meant to be broken - but ya gotta know the rules BEFORE you break them.

Hope that helps,

Marko

[Yisehaq]

Thanks Marko, I am sure you're right. BTW, I intend to upload one photo per week on the critique thread will that be too much?

Before you reply I will upload the one for today.

[Marko]

Actually - you can upload many more if you like.

I honestly love critiquing photographs and so do a few other regulars around here so there is no limit.

The only thing i would suggest is that when you do upload, just make it only 1 or 2 photos per thread (just like you did with the Monk thread).

That way you'll get full solid critiques and be able to take more information away.

Thx!
Marko

[Yisehaq]

Thanks Marko

I hope to learn a lot. I have many pictures whose flaws are enigmatic to me.