Nikon D40 + kit lens taking blurry photos

[dpinion]

Hey all,
It may just be me, but I am having a real problem getting sharp photos out of my D40 with the 18-55 kit lens. I am using them to do some product photos for my company's website (see attachment). I am taking the pics in a small-ish room (guessing 16'x16'x10'), using 2 continuous incandescent bulbs to blow out the background and 1 to light the object. The camera is mounted on a tripod and the timer is used, to try to remove any shake.

Exif data:



Any suggestions? Is there perhaps something wrong with the camera/lens? I am just not understanding why my pictures are not sharp.

also, any general suggestions you have with taking pictures with this setup would be appreciated as well!

Thanks

[Rehesan]

Hi,

I think maybe you are overexposing yout photo. I see you have a bright background (the two bulbs) and maybe that is making you photo looks so lighten in the back and then the contrast of the product its low, so I think that is why you are not seeing a bright image of your subject. Also I see a + 0.7 exposure compensation in your exif, that is adding light to your image as well.

What is your WB setting?, I would suggest to try with a wider aperture and a shorten shutter speed.

I do not know what is the goal of your photo, but if you are trying to show the product I think the angle is not the best, maybe if you compose your image a little bit from above and try to capture more of your product, also try to light it up from the sides and above not from the back.

Another sugguestion regarding products photography, is to get a light tent, if you do not have the time to go out and buy one, you can DIY, it´s easy, fast and cheap:

How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent – DIY


My two cents, being not an professional photographer.

[dpinion]

Originally Posted by Rehesan

Hi,

I think maybe you are overexposing yout photo. I see you have a bright background (the two bulbs) and maybe that is making you photo looks so lighten in the back and then the contrast of the product its low, so I think that is why you are not seeing a bright image of your subject. Also I see a + 0.7 exposure compensation in your exif, that is adding light to your image as well.

Thanks for the reply! I did notice the +0.7 and am going to set that back. I am trying to blow out the background so that I don't have to spend a lot of time in photoshop (need white background for web), but I do see your point about the contrast.

Originally Posted by Rehesan

What is your WB setting?, I would suggest to try with a wider aperture and a shorten shutter speed.

I currently have it on auto, but am using a grey card and setting my white balance manually when manipulating my RAW file.

Originally Posted by Rehesan

I do not know what is the goal of your photo, but if you are trying to show the product I think the angle is not the best, maybe if you compose your image a little bit from above and try to capture more of your product, also try to light it up from the sides and above not from the back.

I will experiment with more lighting setups, but I do have other product photos. Basically this one is to be the "main" product photo and all the others (front/side/back/top down) are thumbnails that are blown up when clicking on them

Originally Posted by Rehesan

Another sugguestion regarding products photography, is to get a light tent, if you do not have the time to go out and buy one, you can DIY, it´s easy, fast and cheap:

I have thought about it off and on, and it may be time to have another look at it.

Originally Posted by Rehesan

How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent – DIY


My two cents, being not an professional photographer.

And I thank you for your reply..

[OsmosisStudios]

Simple: your shutterspeed is 1/10s. You're getting motion blur.

[wingsabr]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Simple: your shutterspeed is 1/10s. You're getting motion blur.

that's correct. I was about to reply and then I saw this....

[wulf]

1/10s and a tripod and using the timer to avoid camera shake? It should be fine.

The D40 kit lens isn't widely regarded as one of the sharpest on the market. I've got one and it is a good general lens (although the manual focus ring is pretty shoddy) but I prefer the definition I get from my two old prime lenses.

I would try some experiments. For example, is there an optimal point for the aperture? F/13 isn't pushing too far out but you might find that the lens is a bit sharper at f/11 or f/8. You may also find that the image comes out better at 35mm rather than 55mm.

Wulf