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Focus and Action Tip: If you are photographing a fast moving subject, pre-focus (beep) where you know the subject will be. As soon as the subject moves into the focus zone, snap away! Your camera will be much quicker at releasing the shutter because it has already done most of the job. (Don’t forget to choose a fast shutter-speed!)
With a fast shutter speed selected, I pre-focused on the point of the wall where I knew he would be jumping. This allowed the camera to click instantly when I pressed the shutter rather than taking too much time focusing and measuring the exposure and missing the shot.
Because I focused the camera on the portion of the fence I knew he would jump over, I could then compose the image and click at the peak of his jump. If I had tried to take this same shot without pre-focusing, I probably would have taken the photo too late because the camera would have had too much to do.
Focus Point #2: Going Manual
For those who are shooting with DSLRs, you can also flip the switch on your lens to manual focus. This helps when you’re taking multiple shots and the distance from you and your subject doesn’t change.
Tripod Tip: When you are taking photos on a tripod, pre-focus your shot and then switch to manual focus. This will stop the camera from refocusing when you are ready to take the actual photo.
Make these easy tips a habit and you’ll be amazed at how quickly your photography transforms!
Do you have any past shots that haunt you because the focus was wrong? I know I do! We’d love your comments below. And, did you find this tutorial helpful? Please share it with your friends.
Enjoy shooting,
Eric Pearce, Brother of Single Dad Laughing
Note from Dan: If you’re in England, and you need an affordable and incredible photographer… my brother is definitely your man! Visit his website at www.espphotographic.com or contact him here or follow on Twitter.
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Both good tips that we teach at our beginner photography classes. So simple but makes a lot of difference!
a few years back i was a gues at a magic show in the back room of a dirty bar in las vegas,i met the man of the hour early because we arrived early,to me he was just a 97 year old manlater i found out he was the very last student hudini ever trained.jon calvert.i ended up getting to be on stage as part of 2 illussions,and took some awesome pics...the room had mirrors on both sides and i took 1 shot that if it hadnt fuzed up would have been an infanite number of reflections of jon.it would have been a classis ...you tube him...he has an amazing story.
Love the tips! Now I just need to get a camera lol.
On a side note Dan you've inspired me to give my own blog a go! http://mymanymonsters.wordpress.com/2012/07/31/anewbeginning/
Great tips, Eric! Love it. I photograph horses a lot for fun, and I'll be trying some of these tricks the next time I head out to the barn.
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I love your photography tips - I really look forward to the next instalment! Thanks for sharing all your great ideas :))
@AmandaHatfieldPye Thanks Amanda! I take that as a fantastic compliment having seen a bunch of your amazing photos! It's nice to have you here! If you haven't yet, there are a couple ways to subscribe at the end of each post. That way the next instalment will be delivered right to your inbox!
I've been shooting in manual mode for awhile now, but rely on the autofocus all the time. Pre-focusing is definitely something I need to keep in mind. Thanks for the tips!
@ZachWhite Its a pleasure Zach! Let us know how you get on!
Excited! My camera comes in on Monday!
@Frances Veronica Soctomah Awesome! What kind of camera are you getting?
Ta, great tips :)
@Samantha Ghoti-Gheac Norman I'm glad you like them, thank you Samantha!
I'm going to make one more comment but not about your tips. I'm giving you one instead. Just over the photo of the boy with his foot on the wall, you said "You're camera will be much quicker ...". You should have said "Your" camera. You're = you are. When you want to use it in a sentence, change it to say "you are" and see if it fits. You wouldn't have used it up there if you'd thought to do that. "You are camera will be much quicker ...".
Love your tips! Hope you like mine. :)
@Cheryl49 Ha ha...thanks Cheryl. I'm surprised I let that one slip. I proof-read the post 3 or 4 times before I sent it out. I appreciate your comments...their always welcome!
(Misspelling of 'they're' intended! lol)
Oh man, do I have photos out of focus? Yes, I sure do. One memorable (or not) one was the one and only shot I took of my niece with her new baby and her two older sons, one on either side of her hospital bed. It was a perfect group shot, everyone looking at me and smiling big happy smiles. The camera focussed on the room behind them and the people were all blurred. I could have cried when I saw it developed.
That is one thing I love about my digital camera. I know right away whether or not I have a blurred shot. Of course, that doesn't help if it was a one-of-a-kind shot because you can't do it again.
Thanks for the tips!
@Cheryl49 That is so frustrating! Especially when you know in the back of your mind that you took this amazing shot, and you're excited to see it and then.....POP...when you see it's out of focus it's like someone took a needle to your balloon and popped it!
It is nice with digital to be able to see the display instantly. My example above is a drastic difference, but a lot of the time, the difference is not so great and that's difficult to see on the back of a camera until post-production.