sunshooter wrote:
To me, your shots are just too soft. I'd insist on carrying a tripod. I frequently get lazy and leave mine in the car, and usually end up with shots like these. I've started extending one tripod leg and using it as a walking stick, which makes it a bit easier. Try a tripod, close down to increase DOF, and take longer exposures. Be sure to bracket your shots, too. Hope this helps.
I do agree that a lot of mine are soft. I did not think longer exposures helped that, I thought just the opposite which is why I have been going for higher exposures. I will try bracketing, I have not done that for a long while.