Help with cloud shots?

Hello All-

I took these pictures and I am looking for some help as to why the clouds do not appear sharper? Is it just because the clouds themselves are wispy and not sharp themselves? As shown in the second picture, the clouds in the far background are sharp but the others are not?



Here are the specs I used

Digital Rebel
125mm focal Length
1/200

f/7.1
ISO 100

Thanks for any help

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If you didn't already, definately make sure you use a tripod, they also are a bit underexposed and aren't getting the needed light. Try exposing them longer. Instead of using a shutter speed of 1/200 as you did, instead, tone it down a notch for a longer exposure I'd say nothing over 1/60 maybe even try taking a long exposure of like 5 - 10 seconds, for a cool effect. Try this and post back.

I've included two sunrise/sunsets that I took with my A75 a little over a year ago...tell me if this is the "sharp" your looking for...

In the first one I used a much slower shutter speed than you... 1/13...and in the second picture the shutter is at 1/40.

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YEA! Thats the look, Ok I will try slowing it down a bit. Thanks!

No problem, glad I could help.

Another thing I'd suggest is to zoom in a bit to capture more of the sky, you might also what to try and add the silohette of some surrounding trees or buildings as I did in the pictures I posted it adds to the effect and makes the picture interesting.