Feeling like I cant get sharp pictures

[picturegirl]

I have a nikon d7000 main lens I use 17-50 2.8 and I just feel like I cant get the sharp pictures that I am striving for, I shoot in manual setting my own aperture, shutter and iso, I know I must be off and I just need some guidance

 

[FastGlass]

Is this an issue that just cropped up or is it something thats been going on for a while? Does it happen only with the 17-50 or with all lens's? First thing that comes to mind is front or rear focusing. Do you know how to check for such a problem?

 

[picturegirl]

I dont, how do I do that. Im still learning.....alot, kind of a newbie so any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[480sparky]

Post a few samples so we know what is causing the issue. It could be camera movement, subject movement, focus issues, diffraction.........

 

[picturegirl]

oh and i feel like this all the time like Im missing that one link to make my pictures sharper, its not with one lens its all the time lol

 

[picturegirl]

Im trying to upload some

 

[picturegirl]

Wow, I cannot figure out how to post a picture here

 

[picturegirl]

 

[Rick M]

When the D7000 first came out it's extreme pixel density was blamed for softer images. The pixel density wasn't the problem, it was shutter speed and technique. It took an adjustment in shooting parameters/technique to overcome verses the older models. There was also a back focus issue but I think it had more to do with technique. Once you can post some images with data, we'll be able to help.

 

[480sparky]

Hard to judge sharpness with a rescaled image (at least for me!). A full-size image or a 100% crop would work better for my old-fart eyes.

But this (they all look like the same image) looks reasonably sharp to me.

 

[picturegirl]

they were I posted them not realizing i was posting them lol I can;t figure out how this forumn works yet, so after 15 minutes i got that picture on lol

 

[John P]

Are you trying to shoot wide open (2.8) for everything?

 

[Rick M]

I agree with Sparky, not an unsharp image. Nice separation from the background. I think post processing may be the key.

 

[picturegirl]

no I adjust the aperture according to what Im shooting, like today I had two little boys at a waterfall and had my aperture at 4.5

 

[picturegirl]

 

[480sparky]

The family photo does look a bit soft. Having access to the original, unedited file would provide a lot of answers.

It also could use a bit of contrast... it looks a bit flat. Needs the white & black points set, and maybe a bit of S in the curve.

 

[Rick M]

Are you sharpening in post processing? They do look flat, like little or no post processing. Active "D" lighting on?

 

[picturegirl]

See not sure in post processing how to sharpen or what the s curve is?

 

[picturegirl]

I have a lot to learn

 

[Rick M]

I have a lot to learn

We all do, you're on the right track! RAW and some Jpeg images straight out of a DSLR need good post processing to get the best results.