Is it me, the lens, or lack of PS skill...

I tok this with my 75-300 at about 30 ft. away. It is the closest I have been able to get to theese birds in my backyard yet. I still think it is lacking color, and "pop". What do you all think?

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I'm not sure if the EXIF info I'm getting is right - it says you were at 1/25 sec. and f/45. If that's the case, both the small aperture and the slow shutter speed (even if you have the 75-300 IS) won't help. Try using a faster shutter speed and wider aperture. Shoot for around 1/500 sec., not 1/25. That'll also get you to a better f/11 or so.

They are not the best lens in the world,what were you stopped down to?bye the way your sensor needs cleaning.

Is the exif correct? You will have trouble hand holding at that speed and the motion will make things look soft or oof. Your sensor could also do with a clean.

N

Snap

neil_r wrote:
Snap

Make that a double.

Yeah I noticed that the sensor has gotten dirty, I am just unsure as to how to clean it without damaging it. Any advice on that? Or do I have to send it in to Canon? As I am sure you all can tell, I am completely new to this. I know I was way off on the settings, and I realy appreciate the advice. And that shot was taken on a tri-pod.

Even on a tripod, a/15 sec. can be seriously affected by mirror-slap.

There are several threads on here about how to clean your sensor. The first approach would be to get a blower brush, like the Giottos Rocket Blower and try blowing dust away. If that can't get everything there are several other approaches. The one I use is Eclipse solution and PecPads to wipe the sensor. But usually the blower will do it.

Thak you very much Jon, and everyone else. I have to say that this site is awesome for help. I am into a lot of things(surfing, skatboarding, and building mini-trucks) and the sites I visit for theese things, are no where near this one. I have yet to get 1 smart a** answer yet, and because of the other sites I have expected it on here. I am soooooo glad you all understand that people have to start somewhere.
I will do a search on the sensor cleaning, and I got to stop by Ritz(because there just isn't a single camera store besides Ritz around me.

Your sensor needs cleaning and your setting are out

Couldn't resist fella ... seriously, get a book on exposure such as Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan Peterson in Paperback. UK price is around £12.90. If you get that right(er) then PP is so much easier and minimal Also, shoot in RAW and use something like RawShooter Premium.

HA HA HA condyk you are soooo funny . LOL Yes I need to learn basicly everything about taking pics. I have only ahd the camera for 2 weeks. I'll have to look for that book . Anyone else got any good reading for learning DSLR?

condyk wrote:
Your sensor needs cleaning and your setting are out

We knew we could count on you . . .

okay ive had it. how do you get to the EXIF data? lol

thanks in advance

The easiest way is to d/l the picture and open it in an application that supports viewing EXIF. I entered the URL of the picture in the "File Open" dialog for Irfanview, then clicked "I" for "Information" and then the "EXIF" button. There are also add-ons to your browser which will put the EXIF info at a right-click menu.

and i thought i loved infranview before. this has earned it a dock shortcut