Thread: Canon XTi
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Old 10-20-2009, 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by kristenv View Post
2. Is your camera focusing where you want it to? (AF system, using a single AF point)I've never messed with the AF system. Using a single AF point, will my subject be more crisp? I will play around with it tonight.
Just using the single AF alone may not do it, but being able to place your focus where you want it to be is often key. The autofocus system can sometimes choose to focus on the wrong thing. Check through the viewfinder, and also use the Canon software on your blurry shots to see where the focus was placed. Unlike a P&S camera, the longer lenses and larger sensor in your dSLR give you a shallower depth of field, so focusing becomes more critical, especially if you're using a wider aperture, like say shooting with the 50/1.8 wide open.

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4. Are you shooting with the sun at your back, or are you shooting into the sun?I have read that it is best to shoot with the sun at a 90 degree angle. Would this be true? What is your suggestion on that?
90 degree angle to what? Personally, if you have the sun at your back, lighting your subject, you're likely to actually have blue skies instead of white ones, and brighter colors, rather than washed out ones. You're pushing up against the dynamic range of your camera when you're shooting something backlit. Also, adding fill flash when you do have the sun behind your subject can help.

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5. Are you doing any post-processing? no post processing.... I have found when I do, it makes the pictures more grainy
You need to learn to post process. It's like having darkroom skills back in the old days. Learning something as simple as Levels/Curves adjustments can make a huge difference. It sounds like you may be underexposing.
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Last edited by inkista; 10-20-2009 at 09:46 PM.
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