What did I do wrong?

[MrsWolfman]

Still portrait of my son. Using my canon 80d with my canon 50mm lens. Golden hour and settings were 180 / 4.0 /250 and my image is blurry when blown up.

Shutter speed to slow?

Help!

[ScottyP · Accepted solution]

Using flash in sun is actually great. It would let you equalize your shaded subject with his bright background. 

I would set the center autofocus point only, and of course put that point on the subject's face.  If you let the camera choose which of the focus points to use it may choose the wrong thing to focus on. 

Yes, a faster shutter would be good for avoiding hand shake blur. 

[TTMartin]

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@MrsWolfman wrote:
Wow...that was a little harsh. Thank you for your input though. As someone who has just started trying to take better pictures and is slowly learning that was a little rough but I put it out there.

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Yes, it is harsh. 

But, the reality is that long before you worry if the photo is sharp enough or not, there are other things that impact the photo much more than the sharpness.

By the way the photo is plenty sharp, get an 8 X 10 print done for $3 at Walmart and you'll see that it isn't sharpness you need to worry about. 

 If you posted the photo and simply asked how to make it better, no one would have mentioned the sharpness. 

They would have mentioned the things I did.

Another thing you might try a larger aperture (smaller f/number) to help blur out the background even more.

[RobertTheFat]

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@MrsWolfman wrote:
Wow...that was a little harsh. Thank you for your input though. As someone who has just started trying to take better pictures and is slowly learning that was a little rough but I put it out there.

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"Harsh" isn't the right word. It was critical, but that's what you asked for. Look at the title you gave this thread; it isn't "How great a photographer am I?" You'd be wasting your time here if all you were looking for was praise. We're all in this together, and we're all trying to make each other better. Those who have to be stroked are off somewhere talking to their headshrinkers.

[fatcat]

Wad, I thought the new 50mmSTM lens has the stabiliers in it,(STM) I thought meant stabiliation motor????I thought theOLD 50mm 1.8 11 is the one w/o stabilization.  Is my interp wrong?  L.

[kvbarkley]

No, it would have an IS in the name if it had stabilization. STM is a type of focus motor that is quiet and smooth for real-time video focus.

[fatcat]

Okay. thats where I was confused, thanks. Also to Mrs Wolfman, Wasn't your question What did I do wrong? If you Don't want to know, don't ask the question. Everyone on here is VERY helpful. I have learned so much in very little time, if you don't want to improve, then take it as criticism and walk away [Mod Note: Comment removed for language, per forum guidelines]. If you can take CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, then you will learn, and your photos will improve. It's your investment, you have to decide if you are going to invest in learning. Most of the ppl that answered you are professionals, take it or leave it.