The number one mistake I see photographers of all levels making is with their focus points! I have seen amazingly exposed photos with all the proper settings except they are out of focus. Sometimes out-of-focus pictures are on purpose or just an occasional accident. That’s okay. I’m talking about consistently out-of-focus photos.
To avoid your camera choosing your focus point for you, you need to switch your camera to manual select focus points. (note: this does not work in Auto mode.) This does not mean you’re switching to manual focus, just manual selection. You can still use your camera’s autofocus, but this allows you to choose which part of the picture you want your camera to autofocus on. To figure out how to turn your manual selection on, click here and add your camera model to the search bar.
To take the sharpest photos, line up the focus circle or square on the main subject’s eyes. Now that your manual selection points are turned on there are a many ways to use them. The two most basic and most popular ways are:
1. Focus and Recompose
The center focus point is supposed to be the sharpest and most accurate. This is why many people choose to focus with the center point, then recompose. Start by putting the center point over your subjects eye. Press the shutter release button halfway down to focus. Now, keep the shutter pressed halfway down while you adjust your camera to where you want to subject to be. Try it right now. Cool, right?
2. Toggle
Another simple way to choose your focus points is called toggling. As you look through your viewfinder or live view, you “toggle” (aka move) your focus points around with the arrow buttons until the focus circle/square lands on the spot you want in focus. Basic DSLRs have around 9 to 11 focus points, but more advanced cameras have way more. For example, I went from 39 on my Nikon D7000 and D600 to 61 focus points on my 5D Mark iii! It’s much easier to take accurate pictures with more focus points! Toggling definitely takes some practice and getting use to, but becomes very natural after a few days.
photo credit: courtneykirkland.net
Next month we’ll talk about a more advanced focusing technique: back-button, which is what I currently use. In the meantime, I’d love to answer any questions you have about focusing and the two techniques above.
Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.
January 12, 2016
Kylee Maughan
