Help me improve this image

[Weetobix]

I took this image in one of Bristol's prettiest churches, but I'm not happy with how it's come out.

This is unprocessed, but Ideally I'd like it sharper. I'd also like to capture it without the overexposed look on the stained glass windows and some of the statues


Click for Big

Info:

Canon EOS 30D
Sigma 10-20mm
Exposure: 1/25 Sec ~ f/7.1
Focal Length: 10mm
ISO: 320
Flash: Off
Meter Mode: Pattern
Hand held

How would you improve this picture?
Going back to take the picture again will not be a problem - the verger was more than happy for me to take pics, and I do have a tripod.
Any hints would be most welcome

 

[grahamc]

tripod definitely - looks a little soft in the centre

the reflecting light at the bottom is a little distracting

I would be tempted to move a little closer and angle up more

 

[The Matt]

I always use a tripod in that kind of light. Then you can be shake-free and narrow the aperture to make sure you have the depth of field you need.

 

[CT]

There isn't a one shot solution to this unfortunately. You can't deal with the foreground shadows and those window highlights in one shot, you'd have to sacrifice one or the other.

Go back, set up the tripod and take three shots, one exposed the same as this one, and one for each of the front and right wndows metered directly on the stained glass. Make sure the camera doesn't move between exposures.

Combine the three images in editing and you should have a corking image.