Bad, bad photograph! – How to improve?

[Keyser Susie]

Hello

Firstly, I have no illusions about this photograph, It’s abysmal and I wouldn’t dream of submitting it.

However, I was hoping someone might offer some guidance on what I could have done differently to achieve a  better result.

I’m a beginner trying to teach myself photography with quite mixed results so I would be very grateful for any tips that might help me improve.

It was taken on a Panasonic GH4 using the 12-60 kit lens. I had it set to aperture priority and zoomed in all the way. The aperture was 5.6 ( the widest available to me). The shutter speed was 1/100, and  ISO 200.

It was taken hand-held,  early this morning  under a fairly bright but overcast sky.

I’ve not done any post processing so as not to confuse the issue.

[Keyser Susie]

Just to add, I had the camera set to auto focus.

[RALPH_L · Accepted solution]

Hi, the first thing that needs to be done is to increase the exposure to 1/1000 to remove the wing and head movement. The aperture is also a problem because the subjects are too far apart.

[Keyser Susie]

Ah, thanks so much for that, really good to know. I’ll give it another bash tomorrow.

All the best - Susie

[Jill_C · Accepted solution]

Ralph is correct in that you need a much faster shutter speed to capture moving objects. 1/100 is only good for completely stationary objects, and depending on how steady your hand is, might require use of a tripod. Also, if you were already at ISO 200, increasing the shutter speed 10x probably would have resulted in an objectionable amount of noise. Photographing birds is perhaps a bit too challenging for a beginner. Start with things that don't move ! 

[Keyser Susie]

Thank you, that’s very useful advice. I shall have my tripod all set up and ready tomorrow morning.

Wow, there are so many settings to get your head around. I think you’re right about birds being a bit of a challenge. I might have a go at slugs!

All the best - Susie

[Jill_C · Accepted solution]

Study the exposure triangle (shutter speed, f stop and ISO) and understand thoroughly how each setting interacts with the other on your camera.