Blegh.. I can't get ANY "good" (from my perspective) pictures anymore...

Dear POTN:

I'm having a problem. Having a DSLR isn't as exciting as it was anymore. I've been trying and trying, and none of my pictures are as fun as they used to be. They either turn out overexposed, underexposed, or blurry, or perfect--just not good... Here are some examples (view links below):

http://img69.imageshac​k.us/img69/1657/img002​9wo.jpg
http://img51.imageshac​k.us/img51/2184/img004​0w.jpg
http://img69.imageshac​k.us/img69/9601/img005​4e.jpg
http://img686.imagesha​ck.us/img686/9695/img0​056nk.jpg
http://img42.imageshac​k.us/img42/7487/img006​9g.jpg
http://img85.imageshac​k.us/img85/4431/img007​3y.jpg


I find this discouraging. I rarely find a picture I'm happy with anymore. And on top of that, when I zoom 100% on any photo, it's annoyingly noisy, or unsharp and I'm using only 800 ISO at max. I'm using a 50mm f/1.8 (canon of course), and generally shoot at f/1.8 aperture in either Av mode, or manual. I seldom use Tv. If you guys could help me out, I'd appreciate it.


Thanks,
Regards,
QuadWing.

1.8 is going to be soft. that lens is not "tack sharp" until about 2.8 or so. If you want to shoot at f/2, I suggest the 50 f/1.4.

do a front/rear focus test by shooting a ruler that is angled away from you, focus on a particular number and be sure that THAT NUMBER is the one in focus. let us know

All those images look like lighting issues to me, I see underexposure and camera shake.

1.add some light or use a tripod....
2.your first pic is at iso 1600
3.you may need to learn the relationship between aperture, speed and light if you insist on shooting manual and are not sure why your pics are under-exposed or blurred

Go somewhere new. Get outside and breathe in some fresh air and snap a pic or two. Go to the mall and get some portraits. Call a friend and ask her or him to model for you. Follow your pet around. Do some time lapse. Set the timer and model yourself. Just some ideas to freshen it up a bit.

I concur. did these "crappy" photos happen once you stopped using the IS kit lens? Remember, that tiny little 50 1.8 is about the same reach as the kit when it's fully zoomed, so it's susceptible to a shakey hand.

Invest in a flash or crank the ISO to 800 or so

If you use photoshop, I found the TLD DNR plugin (free!) to be incredibly effective, not that you'd need it at ISO 800

http://www.thelightsri​ghtstudio.com/TLRDigit​alNoiseReduction.htm

Remember, 1/5 second exposure is MUCH too long for any focal length(without a tripod)! turn the lights on and try again!

As Erik said, 1.8 has a very shallow DOF, so if you move slightly after focusing your plane of focus may change. Because I can't see any EXIF I can't give you any more help. I also cannot see anything on your flicker so I don't know what you're comparing these photos too.

The first two look like you were exposing for the brighter surface behind your subject, and thus your subject is very under exposed. The other two look like either camera shake or the focus somehow changed.

The one's with the plane do look a bit soft, but 1.8 on the 50mm isn't going to be incredibly sharp. Try redoing some of the photos with a smaller aperture and see if that works, or try using a tripod to do some focus tests.

Sorry if this comes across harsh, I'm just trying to be helpful.

-Yale

not harsh at all...

Check your metering mode - set it for center average or evaluative. Maybe it's set to spot or something. if you could post all of your current settings, other than exposure, that may help us out a bit!

Seems like poor lighting and less than adequate shutter speed for hand holding.

If a tripod isnt your thing you might want to try a monopod to see if that helps to steady your shots during slower shutter speeds.

Keep shooting, maybe buy a new lens like a 50mm 1.4 like said before or try a different focal length all together or a quality zoom.

I suggest you go out and do some landscapes or ask a friend to model for you. Try different things it will refresh you.

Erik_L wrote in post #9268910
not harsh at all...

Check your metering mode - set it for center average or evaluative. Maybe it's set to spot or something. if you could post all of your current settings, other than exposure, that may help us out a bit!

Ah, I stopped it up again, a lot sharper, but the light is still kinda weird.

Back-front end focus test:

Alright, the ISO for all of these pictures are set to 800, I use custom white balance, I'm using partial metering, continuous shooting, medium-fine quality. Also using auto focus. I have everything in custom settings turned off. The picture style is set to landscape, and I'm using AI Focus mode.

I shot 6 shots. Three without flash, and the other three with flash. First three are underexposed because I didn't feel like grabbing my tripod from the car because the house has an alarm, and it goes off whenever I leave, so I'd rather not wake anyone up. Also, I'm pretty sure the EXIF on these photos will be available:


http://img691.imagesha​ck.us/img691/2852/img0​001nq.jpg
http://img38.imageshac​k.us/img38/4051/img000​2uc.jpg
http://img7.imageshack​.us/img7/9749/img0003r​e.jpg
http://img691.imagesha​ck.us/img691/6528/img0​005tz.jpg
http://img42.imageshac​k.us/img42/5876/img000​6qd.jpg
http://img85.imageshac​k.us/img85/8305/img000​7n.jpg

Also, yeah, it has a lot to do with my emotional feeling on photography as well. So thanks for noticing that, Insane! Also Erik, I've never owned the kit lens. Ever, lol. Also haven't used the 18-55 since I've owned the T1i, haha. And to the person who mentioned Flickr: I recently set one up, so I haven't really had a chance to put anything on it yet (holidays and such), but I will when I get back home!


This would have to be the best shot I've gotten today:
http://img15.imageshac​k.us/img15/9934/useoft​hefinger.jpg

...No joke, lol!

LOL, oh well.

Kinda OT: I want to buy a flash, but I don't have enough money for one, haha. I guess I'll start saving though. Should I go for the 580EX II, or the 430EX II?

if you can't afford one, go for a used 420 EX. it's bright and swivels and tilts. The only differenece between it and the 430 EX II is:

slightly less bright (guide number 42 instead of 43)
full auto only, no manual control (E-TTL works so well, you'll likely never need manual)
one button to control tilt, one for swivel - 430 has one button for both
plastic foot instead of metal foot
slightly slower recycle time
noisy recycle, 430 is completely silent

I got my 420 EX for $80 - very worth it, but I do like my 430 EX II a lot better... Avoid the temptation (if any) to get a 270 EX as it will not cut it in many circumstances.

Erik_L wrote in post #9269036
if you can't afford one, go for a used 420 EX. it's bright and swivels and tilts. The only differenece between it and the 430 EX II is:

slightly less bright (guide number 42 instead of 43)
full auto only, no manual control (E-TTL works so well, you'll likely never need manual)
one button to control tilt, one for swivel - 430 has one button for both
plastic foot instead of metal foot
slightly slower recycle time
noisy recycle, 430 is completely silent

I got my 420 EX for $80 - very worth it, but I do like my 430 EX II a lot better... Avoid the temptation (if any) to get a 270 EX as it will not cut it in many circumstances.

Ah. I'd rather go for a 430EX II because the plastic shoe on the 420EX kind of turns me off, but then again, the 580EX II is only $100-$150 more than the 430EX II, and if I have the 580EX, I don't have to worry about upgrading my flash, unless Canon comes out with a 600EX or something. (Lol, run on sentence). Anyway, I guess I'll start saving up then. Might take a month or two, seeing as I'm a teen who's unemployed, $100 is rather tricky to come by for me, haha.

And yeah, 270EX.. absolutely not, hahaha. I would never mount such a hideous thing on my shoe.