Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Don't be discouraged. It's taken me years to go from a snapshot shooter to actually understanding what I'm doing and why. I can literally consciously go into a situation, like a night cityscape and have a pre-determined idea of what I am trying to achieve and then execute on it. What changed? Read, read, read and then read some more. Practice, practice, practice, then practice some more. Ask lots of seemingly stupid questions here at the Hog and get some wonderful encouraging advice from people that really want to help. Lots of youtube videos on specific aspects of photography or post processing of the pictures I have taken has been helpful too. Repeat all of the above over and over again. If photography is going to be a passionate hobby or more, you really need to invest yourself in it. I concur with studying Peterson's book and also recommend Tony Northrup's Stunning Digital Photography all the time for newbies. I still use it as a field reference when I'm trying to figure out where to start on a new type of shot. Best of luck.

davefales Loc: Virginia

Might be worth mentioning that there are limitations to what camera sensors can actually capture vs. what you see with your eyes. (Dynamic range.) When you shoot in high contrast situations, the camera algorithm is going to make an educated guess which may be unattractive.

You could improve them with post processing but you did not mention that.

I also think it helps to shoot wider than you actually want so that you can crop optimally in post processing...but I agree the end result should be zoomed in from what you posted.

One more vote for "Understanding Exposure." Good luck.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I've been shooting with a 60D for about two years and am very happy with it.

A few suggestions: Stop using the Auto function and use either Aperture or Shutter Speed Priority. I prefer shutter--I'm getting older and not as steady as I was 50 years ago--and generally set it at a min of 1/180-200 (much higher 1/1000+ if I'm on the water)with Auto ISO but limited to 400. Spot or Center focus would help, but you have to be aware of the DOF is going to be centered on the point of focus. Spot or center metering too! If you need more DOF, switch to Aperture priority, but watch what it does to the shutter speed; you may have to compensate with a higher ISO if the sped is too slow.

Finally get a book; the manual that comes with the 60D is useless. It tells you what the camera can do, but not when to use what settings! I recommend "Canon EOS 60D Digital Field Guide" by Charlotte K. Lowery--available at Amazon for about $20. It describes the 60D very well and tells you what settings to use for particular types of shot and conditions.

It also sounds like you don't understand the relationships between Aperture & Shutter speed; they are well explained in the book, and you have to know how to use them if you want to make any camera, other than a P&S or PBS(Push Button, Stupid)

Good Luck.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

raise your iso to 200
raise your shutter to at least 1/100

It sems like every post i see about sigma lenses mentions sending them back to the service center and/or altering the lens so it will focus.
Perhaps you have this problem as nothing appears to be in focus in your shots.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

... You know the camera can be turned vertically, don't you? That's often referred to as "portrait orientation", for a reason.

"Get closer" is right, too... but since you are using a 12-24 lens, that might be a problem. If you get too close to people with an ultra wide angle lens, it will cause a lot of perspective distortions that can look pretty bad with people especially when using the wider angle end of the zoom (big noses, tiny ears). This is an inherent optical property that you really can't avoid. So you might be wise to add another, less wide lens if you plan to shoot a lot of people pics. For a cheap solution, look for a used Canon 28-135mm. It's a real bargain on the used market and a very good lens with quite good image quality, fast focus, close focus, and helpful IS... and it's much better for portraiture than a 12-24mm. I know more than a few pros who use a 28-135 for portraiture.

As other responses have noted, both your sample images show a classic mistake... mixed bright sunlight and shade. No camera can handle that well. Move your subjects into one light or the other. Shade is better if you want to shoot without flash. In full sun, particularly around midday, some fill flash is often needed because there will be strong shadows. Overcast days are great for photographing people and things (though usually not great for scenic shots).

A lot of the challenge of photography is "learning to see". It takes some study and practice. Don't beat up on yourself, but study what you don't like about your photos and figure out ways to correct those issues, as well as what you do like and how you can put more emphasis on that.

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

You do have some camera shake going on. Nothing seems to be really in focus. I would suggest you take a little more time before you snap the shutter. Don't be in a hurry. Your beautiful models will wait a few more seconds, I am sure. In auto mode you are allowing the camera to select everything for you. It is selecting the depth of field it thinks you want. That is why the letters in the background of the second photo are not as sharp as the people. Learning the exposure triangle is not difficult. Here is a good place to start:
http://digital-photography-school.com/learning-exposure-in-digital-photography/
They explain it in terms that are easy to understand and give links to individual parts of the exposure triangle. There is nothing wrong with your composition. I would suggest that you get to know your camera a little better. Take a walk and take your camera. Take your time and take some photos. It doesn't matter of what. Read and use what you learn. It will take time for you to learn how to hold your camera to get the best shots. Here is a chart that may help you avoid camera shake.
http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/How_to_hold_a_camera.jpg
Try to get away from the auto mode. It is not your friend. Try the "A" or "P" modes. Learn them and move to manual. That is where you are going to have the most control of your finished product.
It will take you a while to learn eight lenses too. I would suggest learning them one at a time starting with the one you use most often. Don't be put off by the amount of information you need to learn. If you start with the exposure triangle and composition and take a few photos a day you will notice significant improvement in just a couple of weeks.
Practice a little and you will surprise your family and, most of all yourself with the wonderful photos you will be taking.

bv Loc: MN

Thanks for all the suggestions and I am overwhelmed.
I will read more on exposure and try to understand. I am always worried on manual settings.

But I will try and there is no thing to loose.

YES. I got some good improvements after LR edit. But focus remained same. That is why I guess that I am not clicking it right and might be clicking fast.

It appears that I am very bad at composition and in a hurry to click more pictures and in result not a single good photo

Also when I got close to the subjects, I see the focus improvement

The Sigma Ultra-wide lens I used (I thought ) is mainly to catch landscape and the surroundings.
I have a sigma 18-250 Macro. I will try this as a standard lens next time and see

wisner Loc: The planet Twylo

Lots of really execllent suggestions; if you are serious and want to learn, might I suggest a photo class at a local Community College? If that is not fesable, than there may be some inexpensive basic workshops in your area.
I see many such as yourself in my classes; people who have a camera and have no clue how to use it or what constitutes a good photograph. It is fine to read books, watch YouTube, or ask your friends but being in a classroom setting, either formal or informal, with an experienced photographer to guide you will save you tons of frustration and aggravation.
Every reply to your post has offered good advice on how to correct your images, but you need to why you do it one way and not another and how those choices will affect your picture.
The problems you have encountered are easily corrected but you need to understand the basics of photography first. If you want to learn on your own, Bryan Peterson's book would be a good starting place.
Good luck and don't get discouraged!

ACS Loc: Northern Virginia

Composition and lighting are major parts of getting good photos. Often we only see the subject of our pictures, not all the distracting background stuff or the too-bright background. Try varying your angle, or moving the subjects to a different setting. It takes practice...lots of practice.

Look at the photos you like on this site and think about what makes them special to you. Often you'll find it's lighting and composition...both of which you can do if you just take the time to think about what you're aiming for.

Take LOTS of photos, make notes about camera settings, existing lighting, etc. You will start to see a pattern in good vs not-so-good photos. Good luck!

bv Loc: MN

Thanks. That was my initial thought. Is there some thing wrong with the Sigma UWA lens or my use of it.

As most of pictures turned out of focus with people in it unless I got closer.

davidheald1942 Loc: Mars (the planet)

you seem to have a bad case of fat finger syndrome.
ronny

Kingmapix Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Looks like you received a lot of feedback.
I would always look first at how I am taking pictures.
Am I holding the camera steady as I push the shutter release?
Am I getting a good auto focus before pushing the release?
First put your camera mode on P or Auto and let the camera decide the settings. This is a good check on the camera equipment functionality.

Nikonista Loc: England

Interesting that you should say that - I have a Sigma 10-20 and apart from being beautifully made and a joy to handle, is pin-sharp throughout the main view area. So much so, that I don't need to sharpen in post, and I can't say that about the Nikon lenses!

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

BV,

Comment #2

At this point in your experimentation, Composition is very secondary; Holding the camera steady, Focus, Exposure and shutter speed are all secondary and in that order.

Go out and shoot anything & everything that catches your eye, and I'd suggest fixed subjects to start-- anything that doesn't move so you won't be rushed to get the shot-- statues, fountains, houses, parked cars, etc. If the subject doesn't move but the picture is 'fuzzy', you will immediately know that either the focus was off or you moved the camera; a higher shutter speed may help, not necessarily cure, the camera movement problem unless you start using speeds of 1/1000+, and that introduces another whole set of variables so I'm not suggesting it. Generally, if everything is fuzzy,it's camera movement, if something is sharp & other stuff not, it's the Auto Focus using the wrong point, so as I said last time set it to Spot or Center focus.

When you take a shot are your arms tucked into your sides or sticking out like wings? Tuck them in as tight as you can without tensing up. Hold your breath for the couple of seconds it takes to focus and trip the shutter.

Finally don't try to evaluate your shots on the camera's little screen, it's too small to see detail; bring the entire chip home and download them to the computer to judge.

Keep shooting--digital photo shots are cheap :thumbup: (unlike the film days) , enjoy yourself--the frustration will mostly disappear, don't be too critical of yourself, and post any photos you want critiqued.

Remember the kids with the I-phones are using very basic PBS cameras and their cameras are making all the decisions that you will be making so your good photos will be things of pride that you took, not some unknown Apple designer.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

perhaps i should have said "a number of the posts i've seen".
The point remains, there are problems which the service centers are able to deal with.