New D90 Taking Surprisingly Average Pics

[No Crust Racing]

Yeah don't think it's the camera, it's definitely me and my expectations.

The other thing I completely forgot about is that camera's are not the human eye when it comes to focus. What I mean is I was expecting to be able to take a shot like that that has very different depth throughout the shot whilst keeping everything in focus.

But when I thought about it from a camera point of view it makes sense that only objects that share a particular depth within the shot can be in focus at any one time. Is there some trick to taking a shot like that and having as much as possible in focus?

When playing with manual focus points I was able to get the knife block in focus and the bench etc at the same depth point but of course the background is then quite out of focus.

+1 for wanting a new/better flash.

[GoldZilla]

Yeah don't think it's the camera, it's definitely me and my expectations.

The other thing I completely forgot about is that camera's are not the human eye when it comes to focus. What I mean is I was expecting to be able to take a shot like that that has very different depth throughout the shot whilst keeping everything in focus.

But when I thought about it from a camera point of view it makes sense that only objects that share a particular depth within the shot can be in focus at any one time. Is there some trick to taking a shot like that and having as much as possible in focus?

When playing with manual focus points I was able to get the knife block in focus and the bench etc at the same depth point but of course the background is then quite out of focus.

+1 for wanting a new/better flash.

Yep, the key there is the aperture you're using.

Smaller f-stop number = larger aperture, but quicker shutter speed = less in focus;

Larger f-stop number = smaller aperture, but longer shutter speed = more in focus.

Smaller apertures are great for taking macro shots or photos where you only want the focus on a certain part of the shot and everything else blurred, whereas larger apertures are for when you want more of the image in focus, which is probably what you're trying to achieve in your kitchen shot.

You've used apertures between f/3.5 and f/5.0 for those kitchen shots, but if you were to take them again at between f/8 and f/11, you'll notice the difference. Just about everything should be in focus if you choose something around f/22

[No Crust Racing]

I imagine then problem at something like f/22 which you said means longer shutter speeds becomes motion blur if I was going hand held. So a tripod might be something we need to look at as well.

Sometimes I actually think a good point and shoot can match these things when using auto settings or for when taking shots at parties in low light conditions etc.

[NA_Goodness]

Never rule out a decent point and shoot as a good camera! A lot smaller and stronger, they can take some decent shots! Jay019 uses nothing but a P&S, and he shows a lot of us up! Lol

[oweban]

Jay019 uses nothing but a P&S, and he shows a lot of us up!

qft