Nearly impossible to take a \"sharp\" picture

Dana,

Thanks for the link to the post about focal length marks-I just did that, shot a series of pics to make these marks. I cut a narrow label just to put a center mark on the outer barrel, then penciled in my marks-what a great idea.

About sharpening, read an article earlier that if you boost the threshold (Photoshop) to about 10 or so, keep the radius at .5 or below, and increase the %-rally high because of the high threshold-perhaps 300 or so, depending on your photo, this might give improved results. Here is a link to that site's page, with examples:

http://www.aim-dtp.net/aim/techniques​/index.htm

Hope this helps.

Kerry

Btw...I really enjoy this forum and all of you give me some great ideas! Today I went picture taking and I have sworn off the *RAW* mode forever. I used the superfine mode and used the *landscape* *portrait* ect......I also switched back to the single focus mode. What a difference it Made!...all of my (well almost) pictures were crisp and sharp.
http://www.photosig.co​m/go/photos/view?id=91​6817
Everyone Thank you!

bill from Ohio

Kip,

Just comparing the focus of the foreground to the background, and the fact that it was a pretty bright day, I would say that the f-stop on the shot was pretty small, and I would also guess the zoom was full wide, judging from the field of view. Therefore, your depth of field was pretty large. The planter and post in the foreground seem equally "unsharp" as the houses in the backgound. You may have a focus problem, but I don't think so. Just by looking at the picture and not having any EXIF data to go on, I would guess your camera may have the effects set to low sharpening or a custom effect with sharpening set at the minimum.

I took the liberty of downloading your full size image and tried to sharpen it. I typically use the 'high pass' filter method. I used Photoshop Elements 2.0.

If your not familiar with this method, here's a link to learn about it:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com …igh-pass-sharpening.shtml


Here's a link to the photo:

http://home.attbi.com/​~dtrayers/photos/backy​ard.jpg

I copied the background layer to a new layer and set the blend mode to Hard Light. I then applied a High Pass filter to the layer copy and used a radius of 5. Then I set the blend opacity to 50%.

It's better, IMO.

By the way, I will only keep your picture on my web site for a week or so. If you have a problem with me hosting it at all, or with the fact I downloaded it and did some sharpening without your permission, let me know and I'll delete them from the web site as well as my hard drive immediately and offer my sincerest apologies.

Just a update to my reference to sharper pictures
New link: http://www.photosig.co​m/go/photos/view?id=91​7689

I've had my G3 for one week and must say that I am very pleased with the results. What really surprises me is that there are so many people in this forum that are experiencing problems with focus and obtaining sharp pictures.

I can honestly say that I have not had any such similar experiences with my G3. The autofocus is as good as any other camera that I have owned or tried and the pictures are brilliant !!!

If you really have a problem getting sharp pictures then there may be something wrong with your camera or you may be doing something wrong. A passive autofocus system requires some contrast to focus - you cannot expect to point it at a white wall and hope that you will get focus lock.

My only gripe with the camera is the obstruction in the OVF. I initially thought the swivel LCD was a gimmick but now think it is one of the best features on this camera.

Hi All, i'm with you Frank, i'm more than happy with the camera. Only gripe is can't find much to take piccies of at the moment ( hence the strange interest in the garden lately http://homepage.ntlwor​ld.com/gaz.daznmaz/ )

happy snapping

gaz63,

LOL..I am with you on that one, not too much interesting for me to take. There are very interesting things in NYC, but not enough to interest me. I see some very beautiful photos from all over the world. I have found that my interest in changing and I am driving looking for things to shoot. I am even thinking of taking a trip just to go shoot. I love photography, only wish I had this interest sooner.

Also, thinking of upgrading to the D10.

Smile,

Niloligist,

Great night shot in the Last page of the May challenge. Looks like you are up and running, and your eye is "tuned". Nice work on your website. I like that snow scene in Clear, crisp and clean air in your New Jersey Gallery-we rarely get snow.

Regards,

Kerry