Post processing

[Simon Spiers]

I am in a bit of a fix with my new Canon 20D:(
All the pictures i have taken since i have owned it seem flat and lifeless in comparison to my Fuji s602:confused:
I am using mainly a Sigma 28-135 F3.8-5.6 IF macro lens and shooting with the post processing turned to mid way.
Is it better to turn up the sharpness and contrast or should i leave them default.
Maybe the lens performance is half the problem:cry:
Your encouragement would be most uplifting:p

[scottbergerphoto]

The most likely reason for your pictures to look drab is shooting in Adobe RGB color space and viewing the images in a non color managed application like windows or on the web. Set your 20D to the camera defaults and use sRGB. Then see what you have. You can then adjust the parameters to see what you like. You are also free to boost the saturation in post. Point and shoots blast their images with saturation, contrast and sharpening automatically. Once you are comfortable with sRGB, then you can try Adobe RGB if you are using a color managed application like PS CS or PSE2 or 3.
Scott

[Scottes]

Take a look in the Post Processing forum. At the top is a Sticky post with many tutorials. One called "Camera to JPG, Quickly" is a 2-minute exercise which helps the contrast and "punch" of an image. From the sounds of what you're saying - and a little intuition as to the cause - I'd be surprised if that tutorial didn't help your pics look better.

But I'd also have to think that lens performance is half the problem, but my intuition tells me it's not the whole problem. A little post-processing is a cheap way to find out.

[Andy_T]

And ... post some pictures with exif information!

This will help us to help you.

Best regards,
Andy