Point and Shoot Artistry. Volume 1 - Focus

While a vast majority of my blog entries revolve around photographic history, antique cameras, and general shenanigans...I would also like to add a series of posts that will help everyone become better technical photographers. That being said, I am starting a new series entitled "Point and Shoot Artistry". These posts will give you ideas and technical information that will help you become better photographers.

Please note that the information I provide in these blog entries is sort of "all encompassing." Each camera has it's own particular sets of quirks and may require different techniques. So, if what I write here isn't working for you...go back and check your camera's manual...it generally has all the answers.

Today I bring to you...Volume 1 - Focus.

Many point-and-shooters run into this problem every now and then. Let's say you are trying to photograph your child (Nephew, Niece, Brother, Sister, or who ever happens to be closest to your camera at the time) you are trying to get a picture of the new outfit that a grandma just sent to them. A full body shot of your lil' one...shouldn't be to tough right? But everytime you push the shutter release their face is out of focus but the graphic on the shirt is super clear.

It happens to all of us (even us professional types, even though we tend not to admit it). The best way to avoid this sort of issue is to center up the most important part of your subject in the viewfinder, usually there is a dot/square or something to denote the center. Generally speaking most cameras are set to "center focus"...that means that the center dot/square will be the point that is in focus...the rest of the photo may fall out around it if you aren't shooting a super flat subject.

So, to use this feature for evil instead of good (or vise-versa) center up the child's face in the viewfinder. Make sure the center dot is on their little nose. Then comes the important part, Hold your shutter release button HALF WAY DOWN...NOT all the way. That is going to tell the camera to focus on the plane of the kiddo's face. Then, with the button still held down, recenter your photo to capture the kiddo's full body and the cute outfit that nana sent. 

This may take some practice and some getting used to. So keep working on it on stationary objects first before charging after a rogue two year old.

Some super new cameras may have face detection, smile capture, and other fun and interesting things to help keep faces in focus...so again, check your manual for any camera specific fuctions and features that may also help you.

I hope you find this information valuable and helpful. Keep an eye peeled for future installments including:

Color Balance - Why is my Baby Blue?

Shooting Modes - How to use your Panorama setting for Evil instead of Good. 

Capturing Moving Subjects - Lead your Target!

Macro Photography - How to capture a ladybug with your camera without squishing it.