Help me take better pics please!!

Hi all. My mrs kindly took some pics of me with her Sony Alpha 100 SLR with Telephoto 75-300 lense, but the raw files are coming out a bit dark and grainy compared to the Pro's. I know it will never be the same but if there is anyone who has tips to improve it would be great. I believe it was set to 400 ISO, shutter 1/1250 and f8/9. Pics below, 1st image taken by the Mrs. 2nd image taken by Focused Events Photographer.

Cheers

We know you're game, you're jus showing off your R6

2nd image is really crisp - better than most thats for sure.
I can offer no assistance, only druell

Not showing off promise

2nd image is from Focused Events Photographer. 1st image was taken by the Mrs.

The main difference between the photo that the FE guy took and your missus's one is kit. The FE 'tog will probably have a f2 lens, which will allow him to use lower ISO values, which will get rid of the graininess, and just allow more light into the lens, so the exposure will be better.

Looking at the Exif data from both pics:

Focused Events
Shutter Speed : 1/320
F-Stop: F8
ISO: 250
Focal Length: 560mm

Your Missus:
Shutter Speed : 1/640
F-Stop: F11
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 150mm

Trying to get as close to the Pro's settings as possible would be a good start, but given his lens probably cost 50% of your bike there will be only so far you can go. The FE picture also has exposure bias dialed in to "lighten" the pic in any case. You can see that the highlights in your boot have totally gone, but overall the colours are better.

Wow, cheers Samnooshka. Makes sense

it looks under exposed and a little over processed, have you tried to boost the exposure on the raw?
If so this will wash out the colours and bring in grain

Did you use an auto mode? if so I bet the camera has metered of the bright whites on the bike

Also your using F11 on the lens this will soften the image and also force you to up the ISO, you could of gone for f8 and Iso 200 for the same exposure

I would say there is not enough light in the first pic and too mutch in the second, both cases require a differant exposure or length of exposure imo.