First photos with new 40D

[Voltron43]

I would like to hear all tips on making these photos better. The photo was taken freehand on a semi-windy day. My self criticisms are as follows: decrease ISO to reduce the graininess and use a tripod. It would be hard to use live view to focus because the flower kept blowing in the wind. Please post your tips, recommendations please!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/ncwilde43/SB02kFL40vI/AAAAAAAAyik/LE8ThjBxmSk/IMG_0127.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.ggpht.com/ncwilde43/SB04QFL40wI/AAAAAAAAyjE/azAHfbD33G4/IMG_0127_COPY.JPG
100% Crop

[LeuceDeuce]

My self criticisms are as follows: decrease ISO to reduce the graininess and use a tripod. It would be hard to use live view to focus because the flower kept blowing in the wind. Please post your tips, recommendations please!

If you decrease the ISO you have to decrease the shutter speed. A tripod can definately help you get a sharper shot with decreased shutter speeds, but not under windy conditions. The flower will move too much to get a sharp image if the ss is too low. I'm not sure what your exif was on this shot so I can't really offer much more than that on the technical side. I don't see noise as much as I see compression artifacts.

As for composition, I would have liked to see the flower a lot closer. It takes up too little of the frame.

[Moniphoto]

try to use Manuadl model.....and with the lense try to put Manual Focus
you are going to see some difference.

Monica