My pic was actually 1/2 sec, f/22, ISO 100...
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I couldn't even get my background black enough at f/8 (semi gloss black cardboard box). It looks a bit overexposed probably due to me adding an "s" shape to curves.
Then again, I didn't have a remote flash on hand. I'm sure it would have changed the picture greatly.
Still, that grain is the pattern of the material. Begin with something simple like a plain double-shot Esc-keycap. These artisan caps are hard to capture right because of the number of 'layers'. And white keycaps... don't get me started on those.
I see you have a Sony a7 MkII. Have you ever used a Fullframe camera before? Each camera behaves differently, get a feel for its quirks.
Sony cameras have a tendency to overexpose. I always turn it down to at least -0.3 or -0.07
Just to get a feel of the camera, put it on a tripod and just shoot it with some natural light. Begin with everything on full auto.
Do you see any grain? unsharpness? Is it overexposed in some places? What ISO/F-stop/shutter speed was it at?
Is it sharp but boring? Great, at least we have a good baseline.
Next, Enable manual focus in the menu. Set ISO to the lowest possible setting, probably ISO 100. Set the camera to F8. Set exposure to manual. Natural light (which can be daylight, some reflected light from a wall or just your computer screen) and use a piece of white paper to set the white balance. There should be a 'set' option.
Make a few shots. Start at a 10 second exposure. Go one step faster, 8 seconds or so. Keep doing this until the picture gets too dark to see anything, probably around 1/200th of a second or so.
Go through the shots and pick the one you like best. What shutter speed is that?
Next you can do the exact same thing with some light shining on the keycap. It can be as simple as a flashlight. Just make sure you put it far away enough so that it doesn't reflect too much.
F8, ISO 100, manual shutter speed and set the white balance again.
You should get a completely different picture.
A step further would be to try to play with flash but flash is tricky. Never use direct flash but either have it pointed upwards so it can bounce of the ceiling or use a good diffuser on top of it.
Direct flash kills your picture.
Keep in mind, I enjoy the pictures I make on here but there are plenty of people who make much better pictures than I have.
I use a 5 year old camera that I am really familiar with. I know it's quirks and limitations because it has travelled the world with me and I have shot well over 10,000 pictures with it.
The more familiar you get with your camera and the more variables you can eliminate at a time means you can focus on the picture itself. Composition and what works best in a certain situation.
When I get a new camera I will probably have quite a bit of a learning curve again. Especially if I move from APS-C to Full-frame or to a 1" sensor.
I love the Sony HX50v compact that I have for its zoom and light-weight. But for shots at night it doesn't hold a candle to the Nex-5 when it comes to shooting without the aid of extra lights.
They each have their strengths and weaknesses. Learn yours. ;)
