Canon XTi

[kristenv]

Hey everyone-
I'm new to this site and have found what I have read so far VERY helpful. I have always loved photography and keep having these ideas to want to try to make a little money out of it. As of now, I have the Canon XSi with the lens that came with it and I also bought the EFS 55-250mm lens. I am not as satisfied with my pictures as I want to be. I have a friend that has a Nikon D90 and a lens that is amazing (I'm guessing that's why she gets such great shots). I don't know exactly what lens it is. I do know that she doesn't have to switch lenses like I do because hers goes from 18-200, I believe. Something like that. She has mentioned it having a polarized filter on it as well. Is that why her pictures always have the BEST color and are SUPER crisp? When I shoot with my zoom lens (55-250), my pictures lose their quality. Any suggestions on a good lens that I could put with my current camera and get crisp, vibrant color shots?

I am wanting to get my feet wet and take some family portraits for the holidays. I am going to start with good friends and family so I can build a portfolio. Any suggestions on equipment that a new photographer would benefit from?

Thank you guys so much for the help!!

Kristen

[OsmosisStudios]

If anything the 18-200 would produce WORSE images than your combo: the "superzoom" class of lenses tend to have some rather serious drawbacks to their range.

Im sorry to say but I think technique may have something to do with it. Can you post an example of a particularly "bad" image of yours? A full image and 100% crop would be nice. It's easier to give tips and tricks when we can see what the problem is

Before getting any more new equipment, I'd suggest learning what you have to it's fullest first. It took me 2 years to really get everything down to a science, and I'm still growing. Gear isnt as important as skill.

[kristenv]

I will find a picture... unfortunately, I think the user may be the problem. So you would suggest sticking to the 18-55 for now while I'm learning the camera?

[inkista]

Couple things to keep in mind.

0. Do you know how to hold your camera?
1. Is your shutter speed fast enough? (camera shake blur)
2. Is your camera focusing where you want it to? (AF system, using a single AF point)
3. Are you always shooting with your lens wide open? (stopping down to f/8 can increase sharpness).
4. Are you shooting with the sun at your back, or are you shooting into the sun?
5. Are you doing any post-processing?

You may also want to read How to take sharp digital photos and how to tell the difference between motion blur and misfocus.

[kristenv]

Inkista-

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.
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?
5. Are you doing any post-processing? no post processing.... I have found when I do, it makes the pictures more grainy

[inkista]

Originally Posted by kristenv

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.

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.

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.

[spencer28n]

Just wondering if I missed something. The thread is named XTi while kristenv states she has an XSi.

Take whatever money you were going to spend on gear and spend it on books/education. If you can take a intro course/seminar, which will help you nail the basics. Reading some of the blog posts here on DPS will also help tons.
If I may suggest a book:
The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby

Welcome to DPS.