Tobster Loc: SW OHIO

I know that this is all operator error but it is becoming irritating to the point that the joy of taking pictures is not what it once was. I use a Canon 5Dii with a few different lenses in my bag, changing lenses doesn't seem to help. I try to utilize the M mode most of the time, and usually shot RAW. My pictures always come out what I would call flat. I have a friend that uses a Nikon camera, always uses the full automatic mode with a popup flash. Her pictures always POP with great contrast, good exposures, and terrific colors. From time to time I will switch to full auto but still my pictures do not POP like hers. I tend to spend more time doing post processing then I do out taking pictures.....The Joy is becoming more of a chore! Makes me wonder.....is there that much difference between camera brands.....or that much difference in photographers and those that utilize the M mode -vs- those that shoot fully automatic....Thanks for listening! I think the winter blahs have set in!

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Try using the P mode (Program) and view on the LCD and see if makes it easier.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Tobster, why don't you get yourself a small flash. Maybe it's what is missing that your friend has.
I to have the 5ll, and don't think it's a problem.
Don't forget, auto is jpeg, and the shots have been processed in-camera. That means they've had saturation and sharpening as well.
Maybe that motorcycle is shaking and baking it. :lol:
Good luck ;-)
SS

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Can you be more specific with what you are taking images of?
Outdoor landscape?
Indoors.
Maybe post some examples and put a check in "store original".
Hopefully, others will jump in.
Pat

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Some may feel differently, but I don't think there's much difference in the results of the different brand cameras, Tobster. I've mostly used Nikons for almost 50 years, except for about 2 years using Canons. I switched back simply because the feel, and the controls of the Nikons fit me better. My results with Canons were every bit as good as with Nikons.

Why don't you try shooting in JPG Fine, on Auto for awhile, on the chance your results will be more pleasing until you've gathered some more experience. Raw is fine, but what you see is not always a pleasing photo until you've applied alterations in post-processing. There's no magic badge of honor attached to shooting in manual. Most of the time the settings you choose will be the same as your camera would choose in Auto. It just simplifies your life a little as you perfect your techniques.

Don't be frustrated, Tobster! Just keep on trying, you'll get the rewards as time goes on, and it'll be worth it! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Frapha Loc: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Is your Nikon friend shooting RAW or JPEG? RAW images will rarely have the "pop" you speak of since they're just raw data -- unprocessed. JPEG from the camera, on the other hand, is processed in the camera from RAW data. One argument for shooting RAW is that it's possible to post-process to a result that would be better than the JPEG that's processed in the camera by the camera's programming.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Tobster, I see this as a good thing, not a bad thing.
Now you are ready to learn.
Now you are ready to teach yourself.
Or you can admit defeat and take up macrame or origami instead.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

You are going to get a lot of Nikon lovers telling you to get a new camera. Bah humbug... Sometimes going fully auto allows you to concentrate on composition. It gives you the freedom to try trick lighting shots and reintroduces you to what foto taking was about (fun)

Go look at a emagazine or photoblog site. there is always a silly training session on photographing oil on water or candle smoke or water droplets. follow it step by step...(I know you have already been there) but do it again...see if it reawakens the wonder and fun - photography can get quite mechanical at times. Take your grandkids puddle jumping, borrow a dog..photograph muddy hand and footprints on bright colored plastic. get the idea....FUN just for a while till you get your MOJO back.

We got wall to wall rain....have had it since before xmas Computer blew up, car window wipers failed today, handyman work is very slow......its winter something and blahs will do.

hope it helps

George

Kuzano

I have found personally after a number of DSLRs and a couple of mirrorless the manufacturers DO NOT know the meaning of Colors "POPPING". If shot on Auto without any other consideration for adjustment. Some camera's offer art scenes which are the only places you can find color POP and that often an exaggeration.

Now on the one hand, some sensors often create the POP. Kodak sensors popped color. Fuji's super CCD sensors screamed color POP. Sony is currently getting some POP.

My practice for some time now has been to expose 2/3 to one stop negative compensation whether shoot A, P or manual. I never use the camera meter as it reads out. Slight underexposure is my secret to standout colors.

I do not think the mfrs, either sensor or camera have this figured out at all.

And my exposure compensation is Always set on .7 or 1.0 stop negative... Always!!!

It's so easy to try this... Just set your exposure compensation to negative, 1/3 ... 2/3 .... or one full stop.

Another option is to buy a good (OK ... perhaps expensive) hand held light meter and learn to use it properly.

I have relied on light meters before there were meters in camera's.

I have often found that a hand held light meter will show readings for manual settings different from the meters in the camera's. This could be because of all the confusion by various metering algorythms between spot, averaging, center weighted and so on.

Bottom line is that using a good light meter often shows different readings and often slightly less exposure than the camera calculates.

So again, bottom line for me, using some negative exposure compensation ALL the time, often make the difference between a flat image (RAW is almost always a flat image in any event) and the POP I look for.

Dave_TX

What Canon Picture Style are you using? If you do nothing other than convert the RAW images to JPEG they may appear flat due to the Picture Style you have set on the camera. You can also develop your own custom Picture Styles so that the RAW images and JPEGs straight out of the camera have more "pop". Of course, the picture style does not change the underlying pixel information in the RAW image file so you can always play around with it in PP.

geolaval Loc: Laval, Quebec

For quick results you might try VIVID mode in camera.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

RAW is ALWAYS flat at first. Not an operator error, not a camera short coming.

The only thing you know have to realize is that RAW needs post post-processing.

And, oh, yeah, I use a Nikon. This is not a Canon 'short coming' so keep your camera. All camera shooting RAW give a 'flat' image at first especially if you also modified the color space from sRGB to RGB or whatever a color space other Canon offers (ProRGB may be one).

jimq Loc: Cape Cod, MA

I've been a Nikon user since 1976 and there has never been a big spread, one way or the other, between Nikon and Canon. Go on a shoot with your friend and take photos of exactly the same thing, with camera settings as close a possible. I you should see almost no difference in POP. Then try changing things around and see what happens. Sooner of later you will discover what setting seems to make the Nikon image POP more than yours. PS, don't give up, Rome wasn't built in a day.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

GB, nothing wrong with getting a new camera. It's just the if he goes Nikon , he's going backwards!
Though it seems that going backwards is always easier than forwards ! :lol:
SS

CajunLou Loc: SW Louisiana

I too have the 5DMkII. Always shoot both Raw and jpeg fine.
If JPEG doesn't have the POP I am looking for, then I post process the Raw image, which like others have said, is always "flat" until processed to the specs you are looking for. I do the same with my SX50.