Why can't I get the hang of my XTi??

I have been reading books, taking pictures, playing with the aperture and I just can't seem to take even a half way decent picture. What is wrong? I read the book and I get it then I go to use what I read and my pictures are terrible. I love photography but this is making me think the camera is smarter than me! GRRRR

Oh I have the rebel XTi w/ the 18-55mm lense and the 70-300.

Lets see some pics. Maybe we can give you some ideas.

I agree, some examples would help us determine what the problem is.

Your question is far too general to elicit a helpful answer. Perhaps you should concentrate on learning one aspect of photography at at time and soliciting help in that area before moving to the next. For example, are you having issues getting your images focused correctly? Or perhaps you feel the biggest issue is with exposure. In any case, asking a specific question and posting a photo as an example with the EXIF data intact will get you lots of good advice.

Welcome to the forums!

Mark

Ok here is a picture that I took w/ tungsten light at ISO 1600... I know the higher the ISO the more noise, is there not enought light? I just haven't gotten that "pop" from a picture that I want. Thanks for the advice.

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theres nothing wrong with the photography book, its just the kit 18-55 lense. it isnt the most ideal lense to use under low light conditions.

The first one's suffering from not enough light. Using your flash (maybe with a bit of white tissue over it for a diffuser) will add pop and give you a faster shutter speed (may be a bit of camera shake - I didn't check shutter speed - it just looks slow). Great looking pup, BTW. Nothing wrong with the Lab in the second one.

ERYK, thats not the most helpful advice... he's trying to work with what he's got and isnt about to go out and buy a new lens! You're right in a sense, its not an ideal lens for indoors but it does work...

The first picture is suffering from camera shake, there's no exif so i've no idea what your shutter speed was - but indoors, with low light - if you want to take a picture without flash you either need to widen the aperture (smaller number) or use a tripod to steady the camera, or bite the bullet and use the flash.

Generally, hand holding below 1/60th shutter speed is pretty difficult.

A good starting point would be to put your camera in P mode, go to take a picture and see what F number and Shutter speed the camera is suggesting. If you're getting really slow shutters, put the iso up. If you're already on iso 1600 and still get a slow shutter, use a tripod or flash... P mode is good if you're confused by Aperture/shutter speed combinations.

eventually, you'll get used to judging light, which aperture you'll need to get a half decent shutter speed. If you're into indoor photography, this will then lead you to love Prime lenses... :-p...

And there's not that much wrong with pic 2 to be honest.

First Shot just needs a flash and the second shot is great but always remember to focus on animals eyes
Also use Auto White Balance or get a Expodisc, Blue, Grey Card and shoot in RAW if you have Adobe Photoshop CS2 that way you can tweak the Exposure, WB, to a finer detail

From what I can see, the second shot is focused on animal's eyes.

Don't be so hard on yourself. That second shot will look great with a bit of post processing work.

we need to be able to read the EXIf to give best advice. Dogs look as fed up as you. I bet if you posted the original sized image of #2 someone could process a pretty good image from it - even as it is its not too bad and I messed a bit with contrast and sharpness to give it more pop.

shoot shoot shoot, the best way isnt reading, it helps, but you have to just keep shooting until you figure it out, you cant expect EVERY shot to be perfect

Start shooting and learning in P mode and understand then what the camera is doing. The kit lens is fine, I used it for a long time before I went out and bought new lenses. AND I got some pretty awsome shots with it.

Try using the flash the camera came with. When shooting indoors like that, use a flash. Try keeping the camera as still as possible.

Remember, when using AV mode inside, with flash, its going to be fill flash, which could cause problems shooting in low light in doors, so be sure to use P or Manual mode, or AV once you get more experience.

When using flash, try ISO 100, 200, or 400.

Shots look like they also suffer from bad auto focus. Try focusing with the flash up too, it CAN help. I know spending $ after the fact isnt always the best solution, but you might want try and look into getting a used flash unit like a 420ex. Going rate is about $150 shipped used.

After getting my flash unit, it improved my low light indoor photography dramatically. Both in autofocus in low light since the flash has an AF assist beam, and power output.

Good luck.

I am new with an XTi myself. Both, but more the first are suffering from low light and too slow of a shutter speed. I am a novice, so take my advice with a grain of salt. The XTi under exposes a little, which is great, post processing will clear that up in RAW format.

Steve