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Witty and sharp -- thanks.

A beginner asks: how do you get them so sharp?
 
Kriekira said:
Witty and sharp -- thanks.

A beginner asks: how do you get them so sharp?
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Being in focus is primary. Then using a fast enough shutter speed so that you dont get any blur from camera movement - image stabilization helps with this. Using a lower ISO helps, though is not necessary for sharp images - more or less makes them look cleaner and less grainy. Having enough light helps all of these factors. Thats about it.

Edit: Also, a smaller aperature (larger f-stop number) allows more depth of field to be in focus and so a broader range of sharpness.
 
Thanks for the comments. Do you manually focus or use MF to confirm AF?

My shots seem to always be less sharp than I expect them to be. I did tend to shoot wide-open, but I am starting to shoot at higher f-stops. I always try to keep ISO as low as possible (and am not getting anywhere near the image clarity at 400-1600 I've seen posted here). I tend to favor low ISO over shutter speed, so I do shoot a fair amount at 1/30 - 1/80 (we have not been favored with much sun lately), but even my shots at 1/125 and 1/250 seem unsharp -- even shot with a monopod. I'm using the Panasonic 14-45 and 45-200 (both with IS).

Sorry for what must sound like whinging. It's a problem I'm trying to solve. I admire the work you've shared here (and so many others' as well).

Here are two "ducks on ice" shots I took this week. It was, alas, not bright & sunny. Minimal processing in Capture One (trial version). Exported at JPEGs at 72 px/in, 1,000 px wide, sRGB, default sharpening and NR (not zero):



ISO 100, 1/125 sec, f/6.3, 84mm



ISO 250, 1/250 sec, f/6.3, 200mm
 
Kriekira said:
Thanks for the comments. Do you manually focus or use MF to confirm AF?

My shots seem to always be less sharp than I expect them to be. I did tend to shoot wide-open, but I am starting to shoot at higher f-stops. I always try to keep ISO as low as possible (and am not getting anywhere near the image clarity at 400-1600 I've seen posted here). I tend to favor low ISO over shutter speed, so I do shoot a fair amount at 1/30 - 1/80 (we have not been favored with much sun lately), but even my shots at 1/125 and 1/250 seem unsharp -- even shot with a monopod. I'm using the Panasonic 14-45 and 45-200 (both with IS).

Sorry for what must sound like whinging. It's a problem I'm trying to solve. I admire the work you've shared here (and so many others' as well).

Here are two "ducks on ice" shots I took this week. It was, alas, not bright & sunny. Minimal processing in Capture One (trial version). Exported at JPEGs at 72 px/in, 1,000 px wide, sRGB, default sharpening and NR (not zero):
Click to expand...
These are nice shots! I bet if you were closer to the point where they filled the frame - you would notice additional sharpness. I do notice some very slight jpeg artifacting around the beaks in your photos - which is most likely from your post processing. I would not lower the jpeg resolution to only 1000px - though that should have little effect unless zooming in. I'll admit, I used to be unhappy with the sharpness in my photos. I guess practice has helped more than anything. Also, as you noted how you try to shoot wide open - that was my first mistake - always trying to get this super-shallow depth of field. Consider your subject - a still flower or posed portrait lends itself well to wide apertures. Animals not so much - maybe at times, though generally they move too much - its a balance - because wider fstop = faster shutter, lower iso, though also less range of focus - where as smaller higher fstop will generally means you have to compensate somewhere else. I bet if it was bright and sunny or at lease only partial-overcast - your shots could be sharper.

I used AF for all of the photos in this thread without any MF confirmation. I had it set to face-detection - which doesnt detect the ducks faces unfortunately, though it reverts to area-af, which works great. Also, I was kneeling down in the snow with my arms tucked in and I try to not breath too heavily when I release the shutter. Overhead shots like yours are usually more susceptible to shake. Just looked at some of my exif data - most of the shots here have an fstop between f9 and f13. Shutter speed was 1/80 - 1/160 even at full 140mm. ISO was 100 for all these, too. Another thing I just checked is the 'Film Mode' - I have it set to Standard with Contrast at -2, Sharpness at +1, Saturation at +2, and NR at -2. Sometimes use 'My Film 1' with the same setting but Sharpness at 0.

Last thing I want to note - I generally use OIS mode 2 - which is supposed to be most effective - even though the images wont be stabilized while composing the shot - only once the shutter is released.

Hope this helps. I would say work on your stance and position as your settings all seem right on.
 
BIGTEE said:
nice duck shots. I noticed the Shovelers mixed in with the Mallards. shovelers are a duck that I do not have in my part of VA.
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Thanks! looked at your flickr page - nice work - quite inspiring! Must admit, I did not know those were Shovelers - knew they werent Mallards.
 
VideoSam said:
[much good advice snipped] Hope this helps.
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It certainly does. Thanks for taking the time!
VideoSam said:
I would say work on your stance and position as your settings all seem right on.
Click to expand...
I'm working on everything, but have been focusing (heh) on the camera and the subject. I'll start to pay attention to the photographer too.

Thanks again -- appreciated. ;-)
 
andrzej bialuski said:
Fabulous!!!

I never knew that ducks can have so much expression to them. No thatnks to you of course....
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Thanks for the compliments!

I looked at your website - there are some really amazing photos. I like the contrast and composition in your work - very modern in quality with a slightly nostalgic feel - keep it up!
 
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