One of the commonest error you can see with people who just started photography (myself included) is that they tend to focus on the wrong things.
This leads to a typical picture of subject out of focus and background in focus.
In this article, I will talk about how to focus properly and get sharp photos 90% of the time.
The first thing you need to realise is that the shoot/shutter button has two stops. You can half press the button and then press it fully.
When you half press, the camera will focus the lens on the subject that is in the center of the targetting braket.
When the subject is focussed a beep will sound (or it will turn green depending on your camera) and your subject is in focus. Then you press it down fully to take the shot.
In conclusion:
1. Note the targetting braket. (if it is in auto braket/auto focus point mode don't worry where it is. ) Place your subject into the targetting braket.
2. Half-press the shutter button to focus.
3. When the picture is foccused a beep will sound. Press the shutter button fully.
That's basically it.
Off-center subjects
However, there will be times when your subject will not be in the center right? Like when you want to follow the rule of thirds. What do you do?
It's simple. Just put the subject in the middle of the braket and half press. When it is in focus, keep your shutter half-pressed and move your camera to recompose the shot. When you are happy with the new composition, press it fully and take the shot.
The subject will be focussed.
You may be able to choose the focus point in some cameras. It is not entirely necessary but it makes life easier since you don't have to recompose your shot after you focus. This is useful in fast action situations like sports where you won't have enough time to recompose.
Moving objects
Have you tried to take a picture of a fast moving object, like a fast car for example? If you had, you may produce a picture where the object is completely blur and the background is clear.
This is because unless you have a fast enough shutter speed to "freeze" the subject, the subject will appear blur.
What you can do in this situation is either:
1. Get a higher shutter speed: Get a bigger aperture (lower F- number) or higher ISO or both (remember the consequences of both).
2. Pan the shot.
Panning a shot is a simple thing to do, yet hard to master.
Imagine a car is moving quickly from right to left. What you do is you place the car in the center of your focus point. Then half press your shutter to focus on the car while the car is moving. At this time, move your body together with the car (i.e pan your camera together with the motion of the car). While you're still panning, take the shot.
The result would be a sharp car and a blurred background. It also portrays a sense of motion, since the background would be blur in a line.
Remember to hold the camera steady while you pan, otherwise your shot would be messed up.
The shutter speed makes a difference here, the higher the shutter speed, the less dramatic the effect will be but the more sharper your subject will be and vice versa.
