Silly questions from a noob

[amandalee]

So these probably seem life really dumb questions to some of you but I'm trying to get better....:er:

So I was told on some pictures that I needed to adjust some things in manual mode so that I can get the sharpest pictures...


I was wondering if there were so places to start. Like the shutter speed and ISO on a sunny day? And the same inside in dimmer light? While playing with it I have noticed that with the subject being my cat it still comes out a pretty "soft" picture when the sunlight was hitting his face.... What can I do to fix this and get a sharp sharp picture?

 

[Kerbouchard]

In general, you take your focal length of your camera, and you keep your shutter speed faster than it's reciprocal for subjects that are relatively still, and move up from there.

For instance, let's say you are using a 50mm 1.8 on a crop body to give you an effective focal length of 75mm. You would want your shutter speed to be faster than 1/75th of a second.

It really is just a general guideline. It depends on technique and how steady you are. In general, 1/500th of a second will freeze just about any human motion.

So, for guidelines to start with, keep your ISO as low as possible while still being able to keep your DOF large enough to keep your subject in focus and your shutter speed fast enough to minimize any effects of camera or subject movement.

 

[480sparky67 66]

Manual mode will not guarantee you sharper photos. Manual mode simply allows you to make the choices the Auto function normally would do for you. If you choose to use 1/15 sec with a 500mm lens on a hand-held camera, you're not going to get a very sharp image.

If you've never used anything but Auto, start by using the Program mode (usually P on the mode dial). This allows you to set one of the three exposure settings (usually ISO) while the camera sets the aperture and shutter speed. The next step is to move on to A (perture) and S (hutter) priority, where you choose the ISO either the aperture or shutter and the camera sets the other. In M (anual) mode, you set the ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and even the white balance.

Using manual modes will allow you to take sharper photos, but only if you make choices in your exposure that will result in a sharper photo.

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

Hey Amanda, "soft" pictures can be from a miriad of reasons. The best advice is for you to fully comprehend the exposure triangle. This book has been heavily touted on TPF and for good reason. Grab a copy of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". Gear is secondary. Solid shooting techniques will get you further down the road. YouTube - ‪Joe McNally - Da Grip‬‏

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

You start with your light meter, and adjust your settings accordingly.ISO is adjusted for light sensitivity. Bright light/low ISO. Dim light/high ISO.Aperture: wide/shallow Depth of Field. Small/deep DoF.Shutter: slow/blur. fast/stop action.Adjust your setting based on the light, and your creative choices using the other two.Sometimes the light available forces you to use settings that aren't optimal, or congruent with your creative desires.Many lenses have a sweet spot for optimimum focus. It is typically not wide open, or stopped down. Often it is in th f/5.6 to f/8 range.

 

[amandalee]

THanks guys! I will try this stuff tomorrow! I am really determined to get those amazingly sharp pictures that I see on here! And I will definitely try and check out that book! I'm a poor college kid that really doesn't have much to her name and my only true possession is my camera

 

[Aye-non Oh-non Imus]

In the interest of hearing myself again..... gear is secondary. Consentrate on composition and exposure. But by all means......... see the light. Without it, you have a blank screen.

 

[amandalee]

In the interest of hearing myself again..... gear is secondary. Consentrate on composition and exposure. But by all means......... see the light. Without it, you have a blank screen.

Will definitely do that! I know I need more practice. We just had a small storm so tomorrow should be pretty nice out. So I'm gonna go out and see what I can learn! Thanks again!