Why aren't my portraits sharp?

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by DannyOutlaw

Thanks guys. Your tips made a world of difference. Here are two pics from today's shoot.

+1.. those shots are worlds better than the example you showed us yesterday. I really like the second shot. Whoever's daughter she is is going to be absolutely thrilled with that. Little hot on the hair and shoulder, but gorgeous nontheless!

Would you mind adding the Exif? It may be helpful for others in your shoes to know what you did differently, whether through settings, equipment or approach.

Happy for you!

[autofocus]

See...? There's always hope, and you proved it...nice job

[SusanH1970]

Great job on those! I really like the light in the 2nd one. Nice!

[DelCan]

Nice work Danny!

[DannyOutlaw]

Thanks guys. I'll post the EXIF later, as Im not around them at the moment.

[Indigo November]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Good work Danny! You got some really nice subject to background separation going on there too! The little boy's eyes are still a little soft, but it looks like you may have just misfocused a tad. His forearm is really sharp. Right here is proof enough that you shouldn't just arbitrarily write off "kit" glass just because the "pros" don't use it!
Especially the ones that only have four portfolio pieces to show their "greatness".

*cough cough* don't listen to the ones with seven either

[kevingeary]

Originally Posted by DelCan

You know the op was simply asking for some help/suggestions. He got some excellent advice from a number of members. Now maybe he can up his game and earn enough revenue to upgrade his equipment. I don't think your comments helped his cause for wanting to better himself.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Look to the top of your page and read what site you're on. Lighten up!

The quote wasn't directed at OP...it was directed at someone trying to tell me that the kit lens is great stuff...when obviously it will be frustrating for the OP to get sharper images than what she's already getting with the kit lens.

My initial comment absolutely helped the OP figure out what the problem is. It was johnny come lately that wanted to pretend like I didn't have anything important to say who I was commenting to about the kit lens and professionals.

[kevingeary]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Good work Danny! You got some really nice subject to background separation going on there too! The little boy's eyes are still a little soft, but it looks like you may have just misfocused a tad. His forearm is really sharp. Right here is proof enough that you shouldn't just arbitrarily write off "kit" glass just because the "pros" don't use it!
Especially the ones that only have four portfolio pieces to show their "greatness".

The "better" picture still isn't even close to being as sharp as she'd get with quality glass. Which is my ENTIRE ORIGINAL POINT that everyone seems to be missing.

Yes, you can get DECENT shots with a kit lens. You're not going to get top quality shots. There's a ceiling.

If that wasn't the case, people wouldn't shell out for expensive glass. Chase Jarvis would be running around with kit lenses.

Lol. To claim that I'm broad brushing about kit lenses is ridiculous. The fact that there's such a huge market for premium glass proves that I'm right.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by kevingeary

To claim that I'm broad brushing about kit lenses is ridiculous.

Except that you are.

Originally Posted by kevingeary

The fact that there's such a huge market for premium glass proves that I'm right.

"Premium glass" = f/2.8 zooms, yes? or f/1.4 primes?

Did you stop to wonder that one of the reasons people get those isnt necessarily the "better optics", but the faster aperture and greater flexibility of those lenses? The fact that they're built to a more exacting build standard?

For the record: there ISNT a huge market for premium glass. That's the whole point of it being PREMIUM. That's exactly like saying that there's a huge market for Bentleys. That's, on the face of it, backwards.

For the record: lenses ARE important. Some are better than others. But the greatest factor, the greatest determining factor in image quality, especially in posed portraits like this, is LIGHTING.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by kevingeary

The quote wasn't directed at OP...it was directed at someone trying to tell me that the kit lens is great stuff...when obviously it will be frustrating for the OP to get sharper images than what she's already getting with the kit lens.

Capable does not equal great. Show me where I said that.

Originally Posted by kevingeary

My initial comment absolutely helped the OP figure out what the problem is. It was johnny come lately that wanted to pretend like I didn't have anything important to say who I was commenting to about the kit lens and professionals.

"Kit lens basically says it all.
You can't turn chicken shit into chicken salad; Lightroom will only get you so far. Want sharper pictures? Upgrade your glass... " These are your words verbatim.
Broad brush statement? Yes. Helpful? Not really..
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