What do you do to get the most out of your xsi?

[goodgollycr]

Let me just say that I do not love it but I am recognizing that it is probably me and not the camera. I am experiencing serious camera envy of a friend that has a Nikon. I would really love to be happy with what I have, though.

Care to share what I might be able to do to get more out of it? Or are these insider secrets?

About the camera envy...it's just that I know more that my friend (said in the most humble way possible, of course) they are shooting mostly in auto but their pictures are a lot better. So it does make me feel like I made a mistake not going with Nikon.

Here are a variety of my xsi shots.

Tanks for your patience and any tips you can offer.

[ncbcymtechie]

I'm going to sound so cliché but I see absolutely nothing wrong with your pictures. (This from a guy who spends a lot of time looking at pictures on DPS assignments and Flickr.) I think they're wonderful, they're smooth, the colors are vivid, the depth of field is awesome...

I don't know what you're thinking, frankly. Maybe it's a slump? My suggestion would be to maybe buy new equipment. (Probably not the greatest suggestion considering we're in a recession, but...) Maybe the 70-200mm f/4 L or the 85mm f/1.8 to heighten the quality of your images straight out of the camera (but believe me, I swear your photos are absolutely great). You could also try shooting in a different style or perspective than usual—feel a little exposed by getting down on the ground or up in a tree and then when you're done find one photo you're proud of and show it off.

But honestly. Without seeing what camera he's got or his flickr page to compare your stuff again (and even with it!) your photos are really, really great. I mean, IMG_2782? Alajuelita? Love it! So keep up the good work!

[goodgollycr]

Wow, thanks. I was totally expecting a rolling of the eyes, she's such a newbie to expect to get great pictures right away... (I got my camera in Sept.)

Of course the ones on Flickr are my best ( Or things I am documenting for school), you should see the ones I DON'T upload.

As far as gear goes, I have the Sigma 70-300mm, Canon 50mm 1/8. I was considering the Canon 28-105mm to try to improve on the kit lens.

My friend has a d90. Which, I know, is a bump up from the xsi. I guess I'm just second guessing myself because I could have chosen that it I had not spent the money on the extra lenses.

ETA: I guess with my original question I was asking about what settings and things you may have tweaked in camera.

[RichardTaylor]

You definately have the "eye".
If you are not shooting RAW, try it as it gives you a lot more control over PPing.

[bearly]

Originally Posted by goodgollycr

Of course the ones on Flickr are my best (Or things I am documenting for school), you should see the ones I DON'T upload.

i'm pretty sure its that way for everyone... at least 80% of the pictures i take i think are not good enough to allow anyone else to see. but i'm gonna agree with ncbcymtechie, your shots look great. unfortunately since i don't have a dslr myself, i can't really give you any advice on what settings to use...

[ncbcymtechie]

My preference is Av to control the aperture. Especially when I shot with my friend's Rebel XT (but no more—I'm getting an XSi at long last!), I loved being able to open my 50mm f/1.8 all the way or to get more subject matter in focus by stopping it down a bit. So that's the mode I enjoy using.

I actually own two lenses already thanks to my dad who was a film SLR shooter, and the 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 is one of them. It's not a very sharp lens—nowhere near the 50mm f/1.8; I mostly use it for the reach. Amazon says it's going for $350, and for that kind of money I would strongly recommend the 85mm f/1.8 for $380, which a lot of people love. (You really can't go wrong with a prime, the reach is decent, and it as well as the 50mm definitely improve on the kit lens in terms of... everything). For $600 you could get the 70-200mm f/4 L, which is something I'm also considering (if/when I get that kind of money to justifiably spend on new lenses after getting a camera).

Settings and things? I'm pretty sure you can up the sharpness, contrast, and saturation manually in-camera if that's what suits your fancy (by all means reference your manual if you need to find the options for this). But honestly, you're good to go. So just keep shooting, fiddle around with in-camera settings, post production, whatever—you're doing great already!

[inkista]

Are you doing any post-processing? Something as simple as a Curves adjustment can make a huge difference.

[goodgollycr]

Originally Posted by inkista

Are you doing any post-processing? Something as simple as a Curves adjustment can make a huge difference.

I do a little in iphoto. Learning photoshop is my big project for the year. I have it, but know nothing and am completely lost as soon as I open it up.

Shooting in RAW is something else that completely intimidates me. I can add that to my list of things to learn this year, too.

ncbcymtechie, Av mode has been my favorite also. If I have time to fiddle more I have been slowly creeping towards fully manual.

Thanks all!