Try locking the mirror up when shooting on a tripod and using a remote shutter release. You look like you are very close, so it may be something as small as the mirror or touching the shutter on the camera. Hard to say what is causing softness without knowing what equipment you are using and your settings.

Ah, I can't think of a better test of a wide angle lens than the LDS Temple. The whisky bottle is an interesting juxtaposition, hope you don't get in trouble :wink:

David, I read Learning To See Creatively also. Brian Petersen is an excellent teacher his information is straight to the point and easy to understand. When you finish his book you'll be ready for the one I recommended which is more in depth about all the theories of composition and sometimes a little overwhelming with all the information. I probably should have recommended Brian Petersen first, but since you beat me to it-no harm done. Enjoy!

Have you considered extension tubes? They are simply tubes that fit between your lens and the camera body, they enable the lens you already have to focus much closer (I mean really close). A number of true macro photographers use them on macro lens to get the focus even closer! They work extremely well and do not degrade optical sharpness like the add-on lenses can. Also, they will give images that are much closer to what a true macro lens can do. They are light weight and relatively inexpensive (a good set with multiple tube lengths can be found for under $100.00 new). Also because they go on the back of your lens one set will fit all your lenses-just make sure you buy a set with your type camera mount (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc.). You will lose your ability to autofocus, but you should always use manual focus for macro anyway (or you will end up pulling your hair out, trust me).

I think what JimH means by outdoor is landscape photography. Correct me if I'm wrong, Jim. Landscape is where you would see the true difference with full-frame camera. As for the T3i, I'm not sure you would notice anything different from your T1i. It's not really much of an upgrade as there are very few differences. Have you considered the 7D?

I don't want to imply that you should ignore the rule of thirds, because it works, I'm just saying there are other elements of composition that also apply. Your second photo shows the use of line and repeating elements, it leads the eye into the photograph. There are many more elements that lead to a composition that works and I'm not claiming to be an expert, hence the book recommendation. Composition is one thing that I continue to struggle with and frequently like to brush up on it. By the way, the toes are a very touching photograph and exhibit good composition and does follow the rule of thirds-look at it again. Nice job!

Oh, man, you are going to hear about the "Rule of Thirds" until it makes you sick. Might I suggest a book-The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman. It is a very in depth book on composition and will give you a lot more info than just the rule of thirds, you can find it on Amazon.

Nicely done with a P&S! Wait til you get to try it again with your T2i!

Hi David, welcome to the hog! I think you're going to love that camera, I have the T1i and love it! If you were using a film EOS, you will catch up quickly. Hope you find this fun and informative...

Sounds good to me-send me a PM and I'll give you my #

Thank you so much for all the nice comments! If you google Crystal City Colorado you can see all the other 4,973,565,741 others that Gessman is referring to :mrgreen: . I'm looking forward to seeing these cryptic Tabernacle photos that Gessman mentioned.

You've got me started and now I won't shut up :!: :!: :!:

And you're right, this is an amazing place for photography-it's almost overwhelming. So many choices.......

Yes, that's Grand Junction in all it's glory :roll:

Thanks for the info, Cameraman! However, I have CS5 and it most definitely has Adobe Camera Raw included-I use it all the time. But, thank you for the info regarding the differences between what you can do in Lightroom that you can't do in Bridge.

Okay, I've been upgraded to "a regular here" and I realized that I've never actually introduced myself-I have no idea where my manners are! So, I guess I'll give you a little of my photography background...

A long, long time ago in a land far, far away....(okay, it was really about 22 years ago and it was the land was Virginia) I bought my first 35mm camera and took my first photography class. The camera was purchased on a whim for around a hundred dollars and it didn't do anything for you except advance the film. It came with a 50mm lens (what a deal!). The class was all black and white photography and covered processing our own negatives and making our own prints. It taught me a lot about how much work goes into making a good photograph after pressing the shutter.

Anyway, fast forward about 20 years, I'm finally getting into digital and loving it! I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to Photoshop, so I'll probably be asking a lot of questions, please be patient with me-I don't know what I don't know :roll: . I'm also really new to forums-this is the first one I've ever participated in. I'm finding it to be a lot of fun and very informative, not to mention very inspiring seeing everyone's great work!

A little about me personally-I live outside the very small town of Cedaredge, Colorado on a small farm with six horses, five chickens, three cats, two dogs, two bunnies and one grumpy husband :shock: . I work as a dental hygienist to pay for this really expensive hobby and dream of the day I win the lottery so I can spend all of my time behind a camera. As for the lizardworks moniker, my nickname has been "Lizard" for as long as I can remember. The iguana in my avatar is Pancho and he actually belongs to a friend.

Anyway, thanks for spending the time to read this overly long introduction. I look forward to picking everyone's brains and seeing your work! Liz

This is what I look like without a giant lizard stuck to my face

Holy S**T! :evil: