Blurry Pictures

[KevinStecyk]

Originally Posted by sharpshooter Photography

Kevin, i was shooting a birthday party. People were moving, and sitting. Thanks for your input.

Ed, just for clarification, AI Servo mode works well when the motion is steady and predictable. If it is a party where the motion is random, I doubt it will help much. I'd probably go back to one shot AF, use a flash, a medium ƒ stop of ƒ8 -- ƒ11, a brief time of 1/60 of sec or less, and then take my shots. :-)

[Will_Mass]

Without seeing samples it's impossible for any of us to determine what problems you are experiencing, if any. Even if you provided samples we'd probably also need to see the exif data to see just what settings were used to capture the images. It's like calling your doctor and saying; "I have a stomach ache. What's wrong with me?" Could be that burrito you had for lunch, could be your appendix, could be an ulcer. Who knows? Your description is almost undescernable. "The subject is sharp but eveything else is blurry"? People pay thousands of dollars for lenses that will accomplish that!

Now hang on and don't get your nickers in a bunch over this.

First, RTFM.

Second judging from the question and how you've framed it:

• Take a basic photography course
• Go to the library or bookstore and read up on this pitcher takin stuff.
• Practice, practice, practice
• Change your name to "Blurryshooter Photography" before a customer sues you for false advertising.

[sharpshooter Photography]

Thank You, Will Mass.
Ed Strehl

[David_Buzzard]

What you want to do first is check and see if the AF sensors are calibrated. Take a yard stick, put it on a 45 degree angle to the camera, and auto focus on the 2 foot mark. Try it with all your lenses. If the 2 foot mark is always in focus, then it's not a technical problem. If the the two foot mark is out of focus, then camera needs to be calibrated. You'll also be able to tell if it's front or back focusing, and by how much. If you do need to calibrate the camera, print those tests and take them with you when you drop off the camera for repair, as that will go a long way in showing the tech what the problem is.

While not being a Canon guy, I can tell you that autofocus performance drops dramatically the more "consumer oriented" the lens is. If you have a bunch of kids running around like crazy, and you just have the standard kit lens that comes with the camera, you'll probably have a tough time keeping things in focus.

David Buzzard's Technical Blog

[sharpshooter Photography]

David, take a look in the galleries, I have a few pics in there.
Thanks Ed

[KevinStecyk]

Hi,

I jumped ahead a bit with my advice. Others have responded more appropriately.

I am watching you!




Focus seems reasonable, though hard to tell how sharp the horse was. Horse was dark, outside barn was bright.

Natural Observers




Photo seems reasonably in focus, with some parts being more in focus than others. It would be helpful to know your lens and ƒ stop.

Mr. Squirl



Nice shot! The squirrel is nicely focused while the background is blurred. Is that your complaint?

Hope Ann

Not allowed to show more pics per message.
http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/ph...ate/1168668348

Focus seems fine.

Hope Ann
http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/ph...ate/1168668348

Beautiful shot. Nice lighting, baby is in focus, and background is nicely blurred. Again, is the background blurred your complaint?

====

I am not sure of your background, so the following commments might not be appropriate. That is, you might know this stuff already and I am missing the mark (speaking of sharpshooters). Perhaps with your photos now identified, you can be more specific with your concerns. :-)

The background being blurred is correct. Your camera is fucntioning properly. Generally speaking a small ƒ stop (large aperture)--say ƒ2.8--will tend to keep your subject sharply in focus and blur items closer and further away from the subject. A large ƒ stop (small aperture)--say ƒ22--will tend to keep the subject and surrounding foreground and background in focus.

A good, easy to read and understand book is called Understanding Exposure. It isn't technical in nature and shows a lot of pictures with explanations.

Amazon.com: Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition): Books: Bryan Peterson

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Kevin

[sharpshooter Photography]

Kevin, check on the members photo gallery. There you will see one of the pics i am talking about.
Ed Strehl