Need Some Help... New to this..

maybe it's me, but these are just not as sharp as I would like them to be... I am shooting with a 7d - 28mm 1.8 ... (this is my first SLR/DSLR) I use this alot of the time but even with my other lenses the images are similar (50mm 1.8, 18-135mm IS)... one of my friends that has been at this considerably longer than I have says that I need to quit pixel peeping and understand that they will look fine printed and on the wall or desk somewhere...
what do you think? - i've included the images as thumbnail links to imageshack... I didn't have them sized properly for the forum... sorry...

1:

IMAGE LINK: http://img72.imageshac​k.us/i/201006191982.jp​g/

IMAGE LINK: http://img130.imagesha​ck.us/i/20100619149.jp​g/

IMAGE LINK: http://img24.imageshac​k.us/i/20100619075.jpg​/

IMAGE LINK: http://img690.imagesha​ck.us/i/20100619055.jp​g/

To me they look right, though #3 I would have the girl hold that flicker by herself. This is just on composition. I don't know much about 7D

^^^
I think mum didn't want the girl to burn herself on no. 3

rhys216 wrote in post #10405725
^^^
I think mum didn't want the girl to burn herself on no. 3

yah... Everytime the sparkler started crackling she would throw it down and run off... but she's growing more confident around them...I'm hopeful by the end of the fireworks season she'll be able to hold it on her own, but if not there is always next year...

First is cute, maybe try adding some GND to the photo to bring out the details?
Last one is sweet

Thanks for the comments... mind if I ask - GND?

Flo wrote in post #10406822
First is cute, maybe try adding some GND to the photo to bring out the details?
Last one is sweet

Graduated Neutral Density, it allows top and bottom levels to be lightened and blended.

I only clicked on one of the images (#2). If you're shooting wide open at f1.8 and you're only 3 m from the subject, as you did in this one, you've got a very tiny DOF - so your subject may only be sharp within a tiny plane of focus.

I'd up the ISO way more than the 100 you used here (try 400 at least), and give yourself more DOF with a smaller aperture than wide open and see what that does.

thanks for your input... I'll give that a shot and see how it compares...

avwh wrote in post #10408919
I only clicked on one of the images (#2). If you're shooting wide open at f1.8 and you're only 3 m from the subject, as you did in this one, you've got a very tiny DOF - so your subject may only be sharp within a tiny plane of focus.

I'd up the ISO way more than the 100 you used here (try 400 at least), and give yourself more DOF with a smaller aperture than wide open and see what that does.

1st, use AI Servo. 2nd, put a focus point right on the eyes. It should be somewhere in custom functions under putting point selection on the Multicontroller (Joystick)
3rd, stop using Av/Tv. Need an exposure crutch?
Why?
Post #47

wow, thanks for your thoughts... I will definitely read and re-read your info several times... with just a quick scanning it seem to make a lot of sense. If I need help switching the focus point selection to the joystick I might PM you if that's okay...

PhotosGuy wrote in post #10412563
1st, use AI Servo. 2nd, put a focus point right on the eyes. It should be somewhere in custom functions under putting point selection on the Multicontroller (Joystick)
3rd, stop using Av/Tv. Need an exposure crutch?
Why?
Post #47

I don't have a 7D, so asking in Canon EOS Digital Cameras would be better. It should be in your manual under Custom Functions.

RazorbackSam wrote in post #10404682
one of my friends that has been at this considerably longer than I have says that I need to quit pixel peeping and understand that they will look fine printed and on the wall or desk somewhere...
what do you think?

I think you have a very wise friend.
If it were me, I would be heeding his advice, especially if they had "been at this considerably longer than I have"

To quote another member on here...
Look at your TV from a reasonable distance and note how good it looks.
Then put your nose two inches away from the TV and see the difference.
That's what you are doing when you pixel peep.