Klynne Loc: Tennessee living in WV

I am new to the group, I have enjoyed many posts and beautiful pictures. I shoot with a Nikon D90 and D700 I am several really nice lens, filters, to play with. I have taken a few nice shots, most my lens have the VR stability function and I use a tripod when I can. But my photo's lack that sharpe look and the color just isn't quite there. My shots will pass but just lack something to be great.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

Hello,

For the color, first look at the calibration of your display, LCD desktop or laptop. This is a constant problem. To check if your image are correctly exposed, view them with a program that allows the display of the Histogram.

As to be sharp, this is also relative as the board compresses the pictures and many that look sharp are so-so when looked at at the original size.

For you do do a real comparison, you may want to post your own pictures and stop beating yourself in the head, repeating: "I am not good enough". Trust me, you likely are.

Display calibration:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_calibration
http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/
Histogram links:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/understanding-histograms
http://www.sphoto.com/techinfo/histograms/histograms.htm

Klynne Loc: Tennessee living in WV

Thank you I will upload some pics and take my posion.

joepeva Loc: TN

It will not be poison.. Consider the joy of learning to do something better that you can enjoy for a lifetime.

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

You might want to check on your photo ''set picture control'' setting and set it to vivid and then make minor adjustments to whatever setting you choose. Also look into lens diffraction.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Assuming you are seeing vibrant sharp photos posted on UHH but you aren't seeing vibrant sharp photos from your camera, that would seem to be the qualifier that your monitor isn't at fault.

Your camera likely has a menu that allows you to add sharpness and "vivid" color as it processes after you shoot. You could try that first.

Second, you should realize that many (I would go so far as to say most) photographers on here use post editing software whether it's a free like GIMP, $600 PhotoShop, or something in between such as excellent PaintShop ProX4 (currently $39). In software you can change sharpness, contrast, color saturation, white balance, etc. or put your background out of focus, turn a color shot into a B&W, straighten things, take things out that are clutter, etc.

So if your camera's output doesn't look like what you see on UHH using the same monitor, these are two potential reasons why.

senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ

Welcome to the world of digital photography. You have a few options.

Option 1. Get a camera that has an intelligent auto shooting mode. Different manufacturers call it by different names, but the camera takes care of many things that influence image quality. It even may bring up a little flash unit and fire it when necessary. You point it at a scene, and push the shutter button. That's it.

These little jewels are often in the point-and-shoot category and there are dozens on the market. You'll be paying somewhere in the vicinity of $250 - $300 for a really good one, but they can be very good and be a lot cheaper than that. Modern intelligent auto mode is amazing; it not only focuses and sets exposure but takes care of a whole raft of other important settings so you don't have to worry about them. You get jpg files, and they usually look very good.

Option 2. Get a current dslr (digital single lens reflex) and one or more lenses for it. They all come with big manuals done in small print. Get prepared to spend many happy hours poring through the manual and probably other sources as well.. If you try to use one of these things without knowing how it works, your're not going to like the results much of the time.

Option 3. Even if you fulfill all the requirements under 2., there will be times when you realize that your images could be a lot better than they are. Dispair not, it's the digital age!

Avail yourself of a good computer, and start a lifetime of learning about how to improve your images on it. It's called by a lot names, some of them derogatory, but on this forum it's usually called "post-processing". For some contributors to this forum, even that innoccuous name is derogatory. Get the picture?

To be successful in Option 3., it helps to have a technical turn of mind. You'll also need a bunch of time, for both learning and doing. There are many who think of all this as fun and rewarding. Be one of those, if at all possible. You'll also need at least a modicum of money. Even though you don't pay for film or its processing, there will still be expenses.

One last caution, particularly if you're long in the tooth and have a substantial intellectual and financial investment in the field of film photography. Option 3. may not be your cup of tea. What then? Very simple. Handle your fine digital camera just as if it has film in it! Use your computer for downloading and viewing only. Thousands do, and they're still making pictures.

Best of luck, and best regards to all....

mgemstone Loc: Chicago/Cocoa beach/La/NY

I'm not a Nikon user but you say you have VR stability function and use a tripod. Are you turning the VR function off when mounted on the tripod? If you aren't, that could be part of the problem (at least it would be with Canon IS).

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Leaving VR on while using the tripod should affect focus, not color.

Klynne Loc: Tennessee living in WV

Thanks to all for your suggestions, some I have already done but I have not altered my pics much. I will put some up for view and go from there. Again thanks!!!

senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ

Tell us what you're trying to learn that you didn't know before, and where you're trying to learn it.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Are you doing any PP work? You might be comparing images that have been resized and sharpened for web-viewing against non-processed images.