First Flower of the year in garden..

[Deitz Dittrich]

Still learning the camera... but this turned out ok.

[eyeguy 54]

nice one. spring has sprung

[Dbl]

Its a good start, both photo and spring flowers!

[Deitz Dittrich]

So, those with professional opinions.. its a touch blurry.. Was it the fact that I was a touch out of focus, what it that I didnt hold still enough, or was it that it was a tad windy and the plant slightly blurred.. Or is there no way of knowing? I got the blur behind the flower I wanted.. I'm happy with the shot, just know how much better it could be.

[Dbl]

Its definitely blurry. I would help if you posted the EXIF data on the shot, the shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc. I think Photobucket stripped it out so I can't really see it. Keep in mind if you are happy that really is good enough.

I am going to let you know that what you are happy with now and as your skills and knowledge improve, what you will be happy with later will be totally different. And that is a good thing, it shows you are making real progress at being satisfied with your work.

[Deitz Dittrich]

DBL- thanks for being willing to spend the time.. I know I need to take classes.. Soon as summer hits and my masters program takes a break I am all over it.. I just hate not being good at things..

I hit info, this is what I got? 2886 X 3036 2.9MB JPEG, ISO 500, 270MM, 0EV, f 6.3, 1/400

[Deitz Dittrich]

just took this one.. seems clearer..

ISO 100 , 85 MM, 0EV, f 5.6, 1/250

Ohh Cannon T5i Tamron 18-270

[Wayne Ek]

DD, the second one looks much better. If your hand holding your camera just be aware that when you move in really close any little movement can cause focus problems. The wind moving the plant, camera shake, wind moving the camera. You can solve part of that problem with a good tripod, in this shot you could probably get by with a bean bag on a 5-gallon bucket. And if macro is something you like, then I would look at a remote release or wireless release.

Good shot, the only thing I have coming up is the chives.

[Dbl]

Deitz that second is much better. You have a high enough shutter speed to keep movement to a minimum even with a slight breeze. The one thing you will need to consider next is depth of field. With a zoomed in shot as that one f5.6 is going to have a fairly small part of the flower that will actually be in focus. Take a bit of time and read just some basic info on Depth of Field. For your macro interests it will be important.

The other reason your shot might just be a tad soft is the camera itself. You lose some sharpness because the edges of the pixels have been blurred during digitization. You generally need to sharpen ANY digital photo preferably with software because it is more accurate and less destructive than the additional sharpening available in your camera menu. So up your sharpness a tad in camera through your menu system of tweak it slightly in post processing.

That is the other BIG secret with digital photography, processing. Folks come from a small pocket digital camera where the sensors are smaller and the colors are pumped up in camera and sharpening amped up as well. You get used to that look and you start shooting with RAW files or basic JPEG's in a DSLR and you are disappointed! With a small amount of effort you will far surpass the pictures from those point and shots. There is so much more data available to you with DSLR files, it just take some time and playing around to begin to learn that aspect of photography. It can be as important as learning the settings and features of your camera and basic photography skills. Believe me when I tell you digital is much easier to learn than film!

Keep posting and keep asking and you will QUICKLY improve those skills! You are well on your way!

I am adding a comparative file of your shot. I can take it down if you would prefer not to have your work edited. I did a 30 sec edit on your shot, a slight curves adjustment, a small amount of sharpening and a minor crop. The file was small to begin with so I couldn't do much with the sharpening but I hope you get the idea.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Dan- Thanks a million!!! And please do continue to feel free to edit my picts anytime!!! LOL.. I am so green I still have no idea how to switch to RAW. Im in the midst of a masters degree in Reading of all things.. once I get through that, I plan on doing some reading on this for sure.. as well as take a few classes at National Camera.. Maybe even take a class or to with the Foss dude up nort! I have always liked taking picts, ever since I was a little tike chasing my dad around the country(he was a boat racer) with a polaroid in hand..

While I will not be as good as you guys, I have the desire, and summers with a very nice garden I should have some nice subject matter. Plus with a cabin very close to Crex Meadows in WI I have abundant wildlife as well.

[Dbl]

Keep in mind I am in the north metro so if you ever have some time and want to get together we can certainly do that. I have a fairly flexible schedule so something could be worked out. Shooting flowers, birds, fishing shots anything and everything. Or just meet for a cup of coffee and talk some shop, doesn't take much time and we can get your head spinning more than it already is with the extra work of a masters program!

[Deitz Dittrich]

I would love that!!!! Lets set up a time... I dont drink coffee though.. LOLOL.. Never had a sip, too scared I would like it. HA!~

[eyeguy 54]

great post. I enjoy the inexpensive elements for some editing. It's fun playing with the focus and lighting to see what my eyes like.

[Dbl]

Deitz,

Shoot me an e-mail will ya. I have a pretty open week this week.

Dan

dbleitch at aol dot com