jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Full auto? All you've got is a couple of expensive point and shoot cameras if you use them like this. As someone else has said, it's time to learn more about your equipment, technique, and lighting.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

the advice you've received is harsh but accurate.
However, you need a quick fix to get the broads off your back while you learn:

Take the 60D and instruction book to your private space and do not leave the throne room until you learn how to choose and use single point focus.
You can get fancy later, right now you need to get your focus under control.
The rest will come

jfromla Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I have been shooting for years and have a tremor that gives me a fits when I try to get a sharp photo. I won't go into all the ways that I have evolved to adapt to this problem, but I think that many of us out there may have the same problem and not realize it.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I downloaded photo #1 into the iPad then edited within the Photos App - just crop and enhance lighting. If what I did comes through, you can see the result. Any further alterations would have to be within Photoshop using Unsharp Mask tool.

Danoj Loc: Winnebago Co. Illinois

Don't get frustrated. You have received some great advice here. First stick with a single lens. A 50 mm if it's in you bag. Read the book Linda from Maine recommends. And practice. Practice holding and adjusting your camera. And practice taking pictures based on what you read in the book.
You will get better.

bv Loc: MN

YES Sir, I have 50mm.

Many thanks for all the comments, which covered combined experience more than I can learn anywhere else. All experts pointed out the same. Practice with single lens, Use AV, Centre point focus, steady handed click. (Frankly I did not do any of these)
Really an eye opener for me who was using 60D as an expensive point and shoot camera.(But Rebel Xsi worked okay like that. But 60D would not!)

Great Forum

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

The first problem I see, your shooting full auto. You are using a 24mm lens on both shots @ 1/50 sec shutter speed. If you would up the shutter speed just a bit you would have gotten better pictures. Plus, give your camera time to make full focus. My wife takes shots using my old 50D, and 1/2 presses the shutter button, then raises her finger and slams it back down on the button until the camera fires. Her pictures look exactly like yours. Try setting your camera up on a tripod, or solid object like a table, and have the subject sit on a chair in good light. Choose the same lens, 24mm. Fill the frame with the subject head, use spot focus, and put the red dot on the subjects nearest eye. Set the ISO to 160 and set the appropriate white balance (sunny, cloudy, or shade) Put the camera in Av (aperture priority) select f4, take a shot, and note the shutter speed, take another shot only at f8, and not the shutter speed, now take a shot at f11, and note the shutter speed. Download your photos and see which is best.

B

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=bv]I agree with others about allowing so much light in a picture then the subject not lit up. I would set my ISO to 400 and this would allow the DOF (depth of field) to go from 6 or 7 to 11 or more. Shutter speed of 1/50 should be OK if you are using 24mm lens. Data below. David