What did I do wrong?

[audreylynn3]

I'm still playing around trying to figure out my camera (Olympus E300) and how to take great pictures (not quite there yet!). I've been doing alot of online tutorials, and reading through my manual, but it's not quite clicking. I took this one of my son, and I don't know why it's so "grain-y" - any tips on what I should do different next time? Thanks in advance!

[JustJim]

To get any sort of technical critique, you'll have to post the EXIF data for the shot.

[SoxAddict]

Cute shot though Audrey! Welcome to DPS - and just so you know, there's actually a whole part of the forum dedicated to this kind of thing, so you'll probably get a lot more help if you relocate your thread there and add the EXIF data. Share Your Shots is really just where we share fun and cool pics for each other to enjoy. The critique part of the forum will generate much more response for your question.

Good luck!

[audreylynn3]

Thank you both, I will do that!

[Ray Dockrey]

If you are running Firefox there is a plugin so you can view the EXIF info. Once the plug-in is installed you just right click the photo and choose view EXIF info. I viewed the EXIF info and don't really see anything wrong. The only explanation is that the photo is underexposed even though it doesn't look that bad. Here is what is being reported:

# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/100 second ===> 0.01 second
# Lens F-Number / F-Stop = 49/10 ===> ƒ/4.9
# Exposure Program = shutter priority (4)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 100
# Exif Version = 0221
# Original Date/Time = 2010:01:21 11:40:23
# Digitization Date/Time = 2010:01:21 11:40:23
# Components Configuration = 0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00 / YCbCr
# Exposure Bias (EV) = 3/10 ===> 0.3
# Max Aperture Value (APEX) = 925/256 ===> 3.61
Max Aperture = ƒ/3.5
# Metering Mode = spot (3)
# Light Source / White Balance = unknown (0)
# Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
# Focal Length = 35/1 mm ===> 35 mm
# FlashPix Version = 0100
# Colour Space = sRGB (1)
# Image Width = 3264 pixels
# Image Height = 2448 pixels
# Image Source = digital still camera (DSC)
# Custom Rendered = normal process (0)
# Exposure Mode = manual exposure (1)
# White Balance = auto (0)
# Digital Zoom Ratio = 100/100 ===> 1
# Scene Capture Type = standard (0)
# Gain Control = n/a (0)
# Contrast = normal (0)
# Saturation = normal (0)
# Sharpness = normal (0)

[lputman]

Please refrain from critiquing in the Share Your Shots forum.

[klam]

The pic is too small for me to see any grain. But I do like grain a lot in b&w images. I think it's a good pic of your kid.

[mosdefjoka]

i like the feel of it --- good shot

[audreylynn3]

Thanks Ray for doing that for me, and for everyone for your responses. Here is the photo, a little larger:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...goutside-1.jpg

I agree, it must be that it's underexposed. I'm still a little confused by exposure vs. aperature, so I think once I master that, my photos will come out better.