Any help with portrait problem will be apreciated

Ok so I just use a simple Canon Rebel XT, its the 8mp one.
Im using the EF 50mm f1.8 lense.

Now my problem, if Im taking a shot of a singer on stage
there is more then enough lightin, and im at good range to
take the photo, but when I take it, it never turns out THAT crisp.

It will be almost pefect, but you can tell the SLIGHT blur or un focused
part was caused by the person, moving.

I was told how to fix this, somthing to do with the timming or somthing?

Im sorry if this is the most easiest most rookie thing out there, im just getting
into photography, and it has taken over my life, i dont know if thats good or
bad, but this problem is killing me

Post an example or two with the EXIF data intact..

Without this its all guessing... post a pic and get great advice

Ya im very sorry, im uploading a perfect example of what the problem is.

Ok with this picture, the background is out of focus which is fine
and the girl is in focus, but im sure you will notice how its not the most crisp picture.
She was in the process of moving backwards at the time I belive.

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You camera settings were : f1.8, ISO 1600, shutter 1/100 sec.

I've never used a Rebel XT, so I don't know how sharp it is at ISO 1600. That could be one factor. Subject moving, no flash, slower shutter are others.

DHancock wrote in post #5845456
You camera settings were : f1.8, ISO 1600, shutter 1/100 sec.

I've never used a Rebel XT, so I don't know how sharp it is at ISO 1600. That could be one factor. Subject moving, no flash, slower shutter are others.

Well the no flash shouldnt be a issue, cause im going for the no natural look.
And with a f1.8 I dont need a flash, i think it has somthing to do with the shutter speed maybe?

Can I manualy adjust shutter speed when shooting in AV mode?

The shutter speed is a little slow for a moving subject. Plus, she is moving backwards, out of the focal plane and when shooting at f1.8, your depth of field is very small. Any movements forwards or backwards will quickly put your subject out of focus.

Flash would help to stop any motion. The f/1.8 is a large aperature, so more light will enter, so flash may not be required to capture the image. A slower shutter speed will also let more light in. I sometimes have trouble keeping still at 1/100 shutter speed.

In Av mode (aperature priority) you can change aperatures (the size of the lense opening to let light in) and the camera sets the shutter speed to make a correct exposure.

DHancock wrote in post #5845456
You camera settings were : f1.8, ISO 1600, shutter 1/100 sec.

I've never used a Rebel XT, so I don't know how sharp it is at ISO 1600. That could be one factor. Subject moving, no flash, slower shutter are others.

The 350D/XT is sharp at 1600ISO.. I doubt this is the problem here.. F/1.8 would be a tad soft on most F/1.8 lenses.. Subject movement at 1/100sec??

Hmm, ok well my quesioned has been awnserd.
Thanks for the mature responses!!

To make things simple you can put the camera in TV mode and select 1/200 as your shutter speed if the shot is not possible (display blinks) or the result is not what you want then I think you can try at 1/100 and if that has no good results then you need to use a flash.

Luigi

That posted shot was taken around 5-6' from the subject, for the frame to have that content. A 50mm f/1.8 lens would have DOF of only about 2.5" at a shooting distance of 6', so it would only take a modest bend at the waist after you focused, to throw the subject's eyes out of focus!

She backed up out of your depth of field. You probably shifted a little bit too.

dmoneyisfine wrote in post #5845484
Well the no flash shouldnt be a issue, cause im going for the no natural look.
And with a f1.8 I dont need a flash, i think it has somthing to do with the shutter speed maybe?

Can I manualy adjust shutter speed when shooting in AV mode?

You can get a natural look with a flash... and it appears that @ f/1.8 you DO need a flash (because your subject is not sharp.

One other thing you might try is metering off the singer in spot meter mode (or your camera's closest equivalent).