Poor Picture Quality

[Ann G]

Hello, I have been watching this board for several months before I finally purchased my G3 about a month ago. I have yet to have a really good shot from my G3 straight out of the camera. I can get "acceptable" pictures after a great deal of editing in Photoshop, but I am disappointed that I should have to do this much editing. I have seen some of your pictures that are so crisp and clear and I am just not getting those kinds of pictures. Is it normal to have to do so much work in Photoshop or could I possible have a defective camera? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Ann

[satnitefever]

Can we have a sample?

It's probably techniques maybe?

Is this a sharp photo in your terms?
http://www.deviantart.com/view/1931587

[Ann G]

Sure. Here is an example.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/layouts/layout_images/156504.jpg

[CowboyPoetWannabe]

Ann G wrote:
Sure. Here is an example.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/layouts/layout_images/156504.jpg
Hi Ann. This photo looks to me like it's underexposed in the subject area, correct? If that's your criticism of it, try switching the metering mode (pages 83-84 in the manual). I would try center-weighted or even spot for this image, since there's so much bright light behind the subject. You might even turn the flash on for fill-flash.

I don't know your level of knowledge or experience, so forgive me if I've stated the obvious. Basically, try some more and experiment with every mode and button on the gizmo before getting too frustrated.

-CPW

[PFlor]

For snow or beach scenes, you have increase your exposure compensation to around +2/3 to start. Also a little fill flash could help eliminate unwanted shadows.

[henkbos]

You have to define 'poor quality' a little more detailed. Is is the sharpness, contrast, colors? Don't expect a digital wonder machine that will solve all your problems.
Did you use your flash in the example? You should have, because the main subject is a lot darker than the beach and sky in the background. If you would have used spot meeting the subject would be a lot better, but the background most likely too dark.

[CowboyPoetWannabe]

henkbos wrote:
If you would have used spot meeting the subject would be a lot better, but the background most likely too dark.

Too dark?

[henkbos]

Ehhh, 1+1=3. Damned Sunday mornings.

LIGHT!

[CowboyPoetWannabe]

henkbos wrote:
Ehhh, 1+1=3. Damned Sunday mornings.

LIGHT!

Whew! I know the G3 has a few features I haven't discovered yet. Was hoping that was one of them. Oh, well....

-CPW

[Peter Aczel]

I don't think the only problem is your photo is underexposed. Other difficulty is the strong contralight. And that contralight is even worse: it's an UV contralight. The light spreads everywhere in the lens... Only the best professional lens work well in those circumstances. Of course the photo needs some fill flash too. And try to use an UV filter and a light-shield if you intend to shoot many photos on the beach. I am afraid the focusing of that picture may be wrong either because the strong contralight hocks the focusing system.
And I have to tell you me too I almost always do some postprocess on the photos coming out of the G3. It is told G3 pics are a bit soft. (It means they're a bit unsharp).Good but not perfect is this digital technic. (For that price not bad at all, by the way)

[Dana]

Gotta agree w/the responses...beach and snow shooting requires some adjustments (detailed above) w/out which pretty much any camera will give less than desireable results.

Some of my best (and worst!) pics have been taken at the beach and in the mountains... :-)

Dana

[Ann G]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. I realize now after all your comments that it is really a problem with metering. I'm just going to have to practice more. Ann

[CowboyPoetWannabe]

I like Peter's response about filters. I'm going to try to ALWAYS have a UV filter on the camera as well as a polarizer handy for scenes such as the one you showed us, Ann. I used to use polarizers all the time with my SLR but got out of the habit with my family's point-and-shoot. Gotta get back to what I know works!

-CPW

[buckjackson]

Ann,

You might also want to turn the auto-bracketing on when you are shooting in places like the beach.

Buck Jackson

[Dana]

buckjackson wrote:
Ann,

You might also want to turn the auto-bracketing on when you are shooting in places like the beach.

Buck Jackson

That can be useful, but doesn't function if the flash is on, so it will only work when you aren't using fill flash.

Dana

[buckjackson]

dana wrote:
buckjackson wrote:
Ann,

You might also want to turn the auto-bracketing on when you are shooting in places like the beach.

Buck Jackson

That can be useful, but doesn't function if the flash is on, so it will only work when you aren't using fill flash.

Dana

Your right, I so rarely use the flash I forgot this won't work if you want to use the flash.