Looking for help to get better (Canon Rebel T2i)

[Amoo]

Ok folks, so I've been trolling around on this forum trying my best to scrounge tips and tricks on how to improve the photography skills. I'm getting much better, but I still have a ways to go. I do have Photoshop so I can help adjust the white balance some, but I still feel like I'm missing something. Here's my best picture to date and below I will list the camera settings:

55-250 Canon Macro Lens - Use manual focus.
Have the camera selected to AV
White Balance set to 7K, not sure how to make it higher.
Single Shot
Standard Picture Style
Usually have better results with flash on.

That's about all I really change. I would love to set my white balance higher, but I'm not sure how or if my camera is capable. Any tips or tricks you guys with more experience could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Reef Bass]

My first impression is that you are not shooting straight through the glass. Shooting at angle introduces clarity wrecking distortion. It's an annoying limitation.

The inability of the camera to white balance above 7000K is a reason to shoot in RAW mode and set the white balance while post processing.

FYI, the Canon 55-250 lens is a zoom telephoto, not a macro.

 

[Amoo]

Thank you for the tips Reef Bass, the reason I call it a Macro lens is because it physically says Macro 1.1m/3.6ft on the side of the lens, is this not actually the case?

 

[Reef Bass]

Far be it for me to argue with the manufacturer.

Interestingly, it does not show up in their current line up of macro lenses, and lenses that go from 55 to 250mm are generally zoom telephotos.

Thanks for the correction.

 

[Amoo]

It would be interesting for my own knowledge why they have it marked as such. We bought the lens right before the baby was born so he's 19 months old making the camera and lens 22 months old.

The model number on the box (yes I'm one of THOSE box people) is EF-S55-250IS2. Other info on the box is

Zoom Lens EFS 55-250mm
f/4-5.6 IS II

 

[Amoo]

If you look it up on Canon's site it shows it as a telephoto zoom lens, but if you display the lens in the viewer and rotated it to the opposite side showing, it clearly says macro on the side of it?

EDIT:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_55_250mm_f_4_5_6_is_ii

 

[Reef Bass]

Yes it does.

Canon may be stretching the term macro here beyond its traditional 1:1 magnification meaning.

Interesting the word "macro" does not appear on Canon's product page you provided.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Canon may be stretching the term macro here beyond its traditional 1:1 magnification meaning.

Just a little!

They list max magnification as 0.31x!

 

[noy]

Thank you for the tips Reef Bass, the reason I call it a Macro lens is because it physically says Macro 1.1m/3.6ft on the side of the lens, is this not actually the case?

I think that denotes the minimum working distance in "macro" mode. Just checked a few of my canon lenses - most have a label like tat on the side. Even the crummy 18-55 kit lens has a Macro(symbol) 0.25m/0.8ft label on the side.

The specs for the lens show Closest Focusing Distance 3.6 ft./1.1m (maximum close-up magnification 0.31x)

btw - photo lacks sharpness - it may be you are inside the 3.6 feet working distance.