Yo photography kakiss!
So I have this question in me since the first day i started photography. I have this common mindset that if i own a DSLR, i will be able to produce some photos with great details and natural texture and color like this:


Even if i pixel peep them at 100%, the face still look very sharp as if i am looking at her with my own eyes. The face texture were obvious and i wonder how the photographer manage to make that because I have NEVER EVER achieve this kind of sharpness no matter:

1. How stiff my subject is
2. How high my shutter speed is (1/2500s)
3. How bright it is led
4. How low my ISO is
5. How small my aperture is

I am using a 550D with a tamron 1750. I have tried all ways to achieve that but none of my photos were close to that. Everytime when I insert my sd card into the comp to view my photos in large screen, what i got was just disappointment. Photos are not sharp and colors are dull. None of my photos can achieve shows the texture of my subjects shirt texture, my subjects face texture ..

I am aware that post processing is a necessity but what about the sharpness? From the photo quality of 550D, i felt that even a normal pns camera can produce it. So why can so many pro photographers out there producing images that are so sharp that they dont need to worry pixel peeping!? Whats wrong with me?

550D can produce plenty sharp images.

Same goes to the 17-50.

Show us your best shot instead, show an area with 100% crop. Then also stated the settings.

f.8 and 125/1 shutter speed above and good lighting will get u that kind of sharpness with almost all lens for modern day dslr.

aperture setting around F8 is the ideal for studio photograpy. about shutter speed, may vary, depend which studio strobe u use and which position u set. shutter speed may vary, and need fast enough for "lock target". it needs takes time for experience it

photoshop CS6 high pass filter
photoshop CC smart sharpen

Just my 2 cents....

I guess that particular picture you showed is shot in a studio with strobes. At that kind of settings, even a low end camera can produce detailed images.

Maybe you can try to check whether is your Tamron 17-50 is having some back of front focusing issue? Be it your camera or the lens it self. I notice the 17-50 a bit unstable in focusing. Maybe is just my copy. But its worth a check.

Just my 2 cents... Cheers

Quite sure either you didn't focus properly or there's something wrong with your setting.

Also I think the picture is sharpened in PS or other PP program. Why do you need to care so much about sharpness anyways? A good picture doesn't have to be pin sharp also.

1.Always be aware of the focal length and shutter speed you are using
2.Good lighting on the subject
3.Fine the sweet spot of your lenses
4.Fill the frame

a sample shot by Sony DSLR-A700 with SAL1650 lens



Aperture : F8.0
Shutter Speed : 1/160 sec.
ISO sentitivity : 160
Focal length : 50mm

when u zoom in 100% or known as pixel-peeping,



if u using right setting and uses ur equipment with wise way, regardless any DSLR paired with any lenses, they will produce ideal image quality

First Lightning

Second Open up ur aperture value

u can get even with kit lens

1. tripod
2. wireless release
3. subject is Depth of field

but frankly those photo use extremely high pixel medium format digital backs which are able to capture the resolution. I never understand the reasoning for pixel peeping. zoom to the resolution you are printing or displaying and see if that is enough for u

Sometimes u dont need the subject to be sharp, looking it at another way, all u need is everything else(except suvject) to be super blur

Dearest friend, emokia, dont be deceived by commercial photo.

they are Professionally edited.

Saya sokong!

Want to shoot a sharp looking potrait?
Try EF 85 F1.2 and see the difference between expensive lens n yours..

As mentioned above, the lens is not the only thing that determines how amazing a picture will turn out. For portraits it is a combination of:
Camera + lens + lighting + makeup + hair stylist + posing + post production (photo editing).

I may have missed out on a few other stuff, but you can get most of those things on the cheap.

this is after photoshop bro~~

btw~ who is this actor dy? forgot her name dy~

maggie grace bro