Wow!! Is there an open house that I miss? when was this taken?
It really depend on what you want to shoot and when you shoot.
Using a tripod does not necessary give u sharp images, there are also a certain procedure to follows.
For me daytime I dun shoot with a tripod but for night time, I will shoot with tripod with a shutter release controller.
What the shutter speed when you shoot? is it less than 1/60? Of cos this depending on what you are shooting also.
50mm f1.8mm is a good lens, if I dun remembering wrongly it sweet spot is at f2.0
Btw, u only have 50mm only and normally what you shoot?
Maybe you could provide us a pic so that we could take a look. I guess everyone is glad to help you in this as photography is ever learning.