hiya folks.
i recently went from my minolta z10 to a nikon d70 and after 2000 + photos getting used to it i have started submitting pictures again to the various sites. FP and BSP are great, i am still getting very few rejections off them, but all of a sudden i am getting heap loads of rejections from fotolia, DT and istock all for noise or artifacts or DOF.
easy question first ... DOF
i know what it is but i can't get it right it seems, i have my camera set for 6mm in the options, pics get rejected, i have the camera set for 12mm in the options, my pics get rejected. yes i have read the manual but it makes no sense to me, what should it be set at? is there a standard setting or is it variable dependant on what distance i am shooting?
tougher question.... noise/artifacts
i use psp9 and use the denoise and jpeg artifact removal tools, i have used the noise reduction up to 50% and can't see any on my pics (sky i check etc) and then hit the artifact removal tool and have that set at maximum unless it takes out detail in the pic. most of the time i am shooting at f3.8 or 4.6 i think the two lowest numbers are, so i get quite a fast shutter speed with this, though i do tend to leave the polarised filter on, should i take this off, could this be part of my trouble.

ok i am ready for the people who will call me a nincompoop and i have my flame proof undies on, but i really need some advice here as i am getting seriously frustrated.

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Paula

I prsume DOF is depth of field?

Try using a small aperature, F16 or so. I also try and angle the camera, so that the sensor is more parallel to the subject. There is a good article about it here:-

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam...-of-field.html

Can't tell what is the problem with noise/artifacts without seeing a 100% photo. I stop the lens down a bit more and only use the polarising filter when it reduces reflections and improves the photo, most of the time it isn't necessary and it might be causing your DOF problem, as you will be using a larger aperature with it on.

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istock-Shutterstock-Yay micro-Mostphotos-Dreamstime-Stockxpert

Noise? I can never take a shot without at least minor noise - it's probably because I always shoot on full auto... Try Neat Image or Noise Ninja. I love NeatImage.

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s e l l p h o t o s . t k

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DOF is related to the aperature, so as suggested use a higher aperature (f11 or higher). A faster shutter speed and lower apeture should only be used for motion or low light, or when you want a shallow DOF.

Removing noise in Photoshop is quite tricky. Instead, use Neat Image or similar software, but be careful not to overuse it. The images can turn out muddy or have a plastic appearance. If there is only a little bit of noise. all you have to do is use the blur tool to smooth it out instead of applying noise reduction to the entire image.

And never use auto settings! Always go with manual, because you have greater control of the camera. Some of my noisiest images were shot in auto mode.

The only thing i use on auto is the lens focus.
Ok so the tips for my next batch of upcoming refusals (lol) is higher f number and blur tool not noise removal if a little noise in sky only etc (can't afford to buy noise reduction software so i think i am stuck with what is in my psp9).
my ratio of acceptance at SS at the moment is atrocious, how i ever got in in the first place i have no idea now! though it is a new camera to me now, a full dslr not a point & shoot with manual settings.

thanks for the advice, i will try it out and let you know how i get on

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Paula