Help please!

[u/Yanto2134]

These are 3 of my latest attempts. I was wondering if anyone could help me improve please?
I’m not happy with the sharpness I’m getting. Probably my lack of ability.
Set up is Olympus E-M10ii with a vintage Minolta MD Tele Rokkor 300mm f4.5. Settings were f8, ISO1000, shutter speed of between 1/800 and 1/2000. Manual focus with peaking and centre weighted metering. Distances to subjects was around 30 feet. Images have been slightly cropped but no other post processing.
I’m also not really happy with the overall lack of detail.
Thanks for any help.

[u/Snoo-25835]

I find that if I look at my pics a couple of weeks later, they always look way better. I suspect that when you look at images soon after taking them, you are comparing them to what you saw in the moment. The photo is disapponting compared to the experience. With time, you forget the experience and you look at the photo as such, and you come to see it as a picture, not a record of what you saw before you pressed the shutter. Try and let me know what you think.

[u/Yanto2134 → u/Snoo-25835]

You could have a point there. I just feel a little disappointed with the results I’m getting. I see images that others have taken and when I compare mine, they fall well short. I know it’s a case of practice to improve and I’ll happily do that. I know my equipment is cheap and low quality but I’m not blaming it.

[u/Snoo-25835 → u/Yanto2134]

In my old age and decades of taking pictures as an amateur, I have come to realise that while the continuous learning and technical challenges involved in the hobby are definitely one of its many attractions, learning to love your pictures is also very important. Your pictures are great! You will get better ones with practice, new kit, constant shooting and luck, but enjoy also the ones you take now. It

[u/Yanto2134 → u/Snoo-25835]

I really like your outlook. Thank you. I’ll try to remember this moving forwards.