Photo of Autumn Leaf - new dslr user

Hi Everyone. I am glad I have found this forum. I am very new, just got a dslr last week, and started to take photos. I come from regular point and shoot digital cameras.

Camera is Eos 40d, lense is 17-85 IS USM lense. I took this in JPEG, resized to 1024 pixels, and just did a sharpen in Paint Shop Pro.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Elmo18 wrote in post #6649779
it seems that the other photos I have taken so far are not that sharp. Do you think it is due to the lense, or the camera/jpeg itself? Or probably me.

If you're anything like me (I got my first dSLR in April), it's not the camera, not the lens, it's you. This shot itself proves your equipment (and its operator!) can take excellent, crisp, sharp shots. So pay attention to your shutter speed (keep it up or use a tripod), your technique with the shutter (press slowly, don't jab, which is my big problem) and things like that which introduce motion blur into the images.

Even with the out-of-focus background it looks too much like the side of an automobile.

The composition is a little too centered.

The good news is that it is a good picture with excellent exposure and color balance, and the subject is sharp as a tack. Gets you interest.

I like your reference to coming from "regular point and shoot". The point and shoot technology so completely overlays the dSLR technology that there little elitism left for the expensive dSLR users to enjoy. Now it's just a matter of whether you want to take excellent pictures on the cheap or do you want to take them with a fat wallet?

Nice subject. In terms of composition, the leaves and white branch behind it detract from it. Also, lose the car. I think if you moved around or tried another leaf (there must have been scores of them), you could have found a more compelling composition with a more pleasing background.

Thank you for all the critiques.

I hope I did not sound elitist. I meant to say that I have a lot to learn as there are a lot more controls on this camera than the one I have used in the past.

I will more photos, but hopefully the rain stops in Seattle for just a teeny bit.....

Best,
ilham