Today’s cameras provide fast, reliable, auto focus systems (AF). Most modern cameras are now equipped with multi-point AF sensors that do a great job provide quick high-speed tracking for our subjects.
As great as the technology is, it can’t read your mind. Even the most advance auto focus system cannot determine your photographic intentions. With subjects at various distances from the camera, a multi-point AF system will often focus on the nearest reliable target. Undoubtedly there will be times the cameras auto focus will focus on the wrong subject, giving you less than desirable results.
Instead of relying on your cameras auto focus to make decisions for you. Why not break away from the point-and-shoot approach, and tell the camera exactly where you want the focus.
Most cameras today, that offer multi-point AF, allow you to manually select which focus point to use to ensure focus on your intended subject, and give your photos the results you want.
I recommend setting your camera to use a single focus point. In my opinion, using the method of Focus and Compose, is the most effective method of getting accurate shots.
To use this method, simply set your cameras AF to only use the center focus point. The rest is strictly technique. When taking a picture, position the camera’s center AF point directly on the subject you wish to be focused on, then activate your cameras AF Lock by pressing the shutter button down halfway. Once your cameras signals you a focus lock, (usually a audio beep or the center AF point in the view finder will light up). Continue to hold the shutter down halfway, then recompose your shot.
We’ve all seen those fantastic portraits were the models eyes just draw you in. In these type of portrait shots, we generally want to focus on the eyes. This
effect can rarely be achieved in a point-and-shoot mode with multi-point AF.
Using the Focus and Recompose Method, we simply place the center AF point directly on the subjects eyes, lock the focus, and recompose, once composed, take the shot.
This will take some practice, but the results are well worth it.
Point and shoot cameras can provide really sharp images if you use them correctly. But for many digital images taken with a point and shoot, main subject sharpness — or lack thereof — is a real issue. Most all point and shoot cameras have an auto-focus feature, which is really awesome.
Good tip.
The first time I used a Nikon D3 I felt bad for ignoring all the auto focus points (50+ points) and only using the center one. It just seemed like a waste…
@Karen: Point and shoots might have some auto focusing problems, but they combat this by shooting all pictures with a small aperture, assuring everything is in focus.
When using single point AF, Focus and Compose, you should be aware of your metering mode also. Using AE Lock if you are not using Manual Mode its really important, specially if you’re using Partial or Spot metering.
[...] continue [...]
HELLO FELLOW CAMERA ENTHUSIASTS!!! I AM LOOKING FOR A NEW SLR WITH THE FAST MULTI-POINT AF, THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES OUT THERE IT’S INSANE. WITH A BUDGET UP TO $800 INCLUDING LENS, WHAT ARE SOME GOOD OPTIONS TO CONSIDER. I HAVE SPENT NUMEROUS HOURS ON-LINE TRYING TO NARROW IT DOWN TO NO AVAIL, PLEASE HELP BEFORE I RIP MY HAIR OUT!!!!!
PS. MEGAPIXEL NO HIGHER THAN 10 NEEDED, 8 COULD DO THE TRICK FOR MY NEEDS.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!
JO
OOPS FORGOT TO ADD IN ABOVE COMMENT, IMAGE STABILIZATION MAJOR PLUS!!!
@JO – Your definitely right, there are a lot of great cameras out there today. And you surely can’t go wrong with either a Canon or Nikon. Canon’s Rebel XSI is a great choice, plus it comes with a Image Stabilization 18-55mm lens included in the kit. Another camera to consider is the Nikon D60. Both of these cameras average around your $800 budget. Both of these cameras perform well, and give excellent image quality.
Hi there,
For examples I have 5 ladies as an outdoor portrait, should I use single AF or multi point ? I tried using single and focus on the middle lady but the rest goes out of focus between F2.8 – F8. All will be in focus after F10 and above. I want a good bokeh or blurred background and all subjects in focus. How do I do that ?
Thanks !
Where can I locate further information about this please? This has made my day. Good stuff