In a real fix.please help(DSLR pics)

[jayahya]

Guys I basically bought my first dslr last month and doing photography since a year now.
Now after clicking around 4000pictures already I am in a real fix.My cousin in Canada has a Canon 1000d whereas i have a Canon 550d.Having a better camera than him, my shots still look off the mark when compared to his.

P.S- i know the basics properly and have a medium knowledge in post processing (photoshop cs5) but still i cannot even reach the bare minimum level.

Please help me with this.Really appreciated!

Jay
We even use the same lens 18-55!






(Here are a few examples of his and my shots)

how do i put my images here then?

My shots

His Shots-

 

[Erinw417]

I can't see your images, the links don't work.

 

[jayahya]

how do i put my images here then?

 

[jayahya]

I can't see your images, the links don't work.

Ok they are up..please check.

 

[Trever1t]

His shots are sharper, focused and exposed properly. Yours aren't.

 

[jayahya]

How about out first pics??

 

[TCD photography]

Have you tried comparing EXIF data? You can learn a lot from that. Do you use auto, or manual? Does he use manual?

 

[Juice]

This is a perfect example that the camera doesn't make the photographer. (no offense)

If you're using a tripod, be sure to turn off Image Stabilization. If you're using hand held in low light, don't. Plus what the others said.

 

[ManhattanShutterBug]

His shots are sharper, focused and exposed properly. Yours aren't.

Agreed. He probably knows how to use his camera better/ has more photography knowledge then you do.

There is a lot more to photography then a good camera.

 

[shootermcgavin]

What is your ISO set at? Are you using a tripod, is he using one? There's probably a combination of issues. One shot looks like you're shooting through a window... I don't think he is shooting through a window... There could be many issues need more info than just Camera and lens.

 

[Tony S]

P.S- i know the basics properly and ...

Looks like you need to revisit the basics and practice some more.

Your exposures on the three you are showing are long, too long for handholding. These shots should be taken on a nice solid tripod and use a remote shutter release or at least the built in shutter timer so you don't move the camera when you snap the shot.

Your comparison photos are not being fair though. You are comparing yours which are shot in low light with long shutter speeds and tough lighting to get the proper white balance. Your cousin has chosen images that are in reasonable light with most likely shutter speeds that enabled hand holding for the shots.


You put up exif data, but it does not match up with the actual data in the photos you posted.

#1 30 seconds @ f5
#2 1/6 second @ f5.6
#3 .8 second @ f3.5 (too small of a aperture to get the whole scene in focus)

 

[jayahya]

His shots are sharper, focused and exposed properly. Yours aren't.

Agreed. He probably knows how to use his camera better/ has more photography knowledge then you do.

There is a lot more to photography then a good camera.

This is a perfect example that the camera doesn't make the photographer. (no offense)

If you're using a tripod, be sure to turn off Image Stabilization. If you're using hand held in low light, don't. Plus what the others said.

Have you tried comparing EXIF data? You can learn a lot from that. Do you use auto, or manual? Does he use manual?

Here are some pictures for you..

 

[jayahya]

P.S- i know the basics properly and ...

Looks like you need to revisit the basics and practice some more.

Your exposures on the three you are showing are long, too long for handholding. These shots should be taken on a nice solid tripod and use a remote shutter release or at least the built in shutter timer so you don't move the camera when you snap the shot.

Your comparison photos are not being fair though. You are comparing yours which are shot in low light with long shutter speeds and tough lighting to get the proper white balance. Your cousin has chosen images that are in reasonable light with most likely shutter speeds that enabled hand holding for the shots.

I thought that too.The low light conditions are responsible for the dead feel.I'll try improving on that.Thanks!

 

[jayahya]

What is your ISO set at? Are you using a tripod, is he using one? There's probably a combination of issues. One shot looks like you're shooting through a window... I don't think he is shooting through a window... There could be many issues need more info than just Camera and lens.

Though India is a naice place to click, i find objects like hoardings, wires and other frame-killers(dont know if am using the right word here) a lot..it has its own beauty tho and i have no right to blame them but still it would nice to have my own no frill zone where the subject is in the frame alone.

 

[Tony S]

The low light conditions are not responsible for the dead feel, that is a result of poor exposure, bad white balance, and not using a tripod.