How To Know When To Use AutoFocus Or When To Manual Focus

So you are not quite sure when manual focusing would be a better choice than letting the camera do the work for you? Well hopefully by the end of this blog post you will know what to use and when to use it.

First off, how does auto focus work? I am glad you asked! Auto focus systems rely on one or more sensors to determine correct focus. Most of the modern DSLR cameras use a through-the-lens optical auto focus sensor that also have a built in light meter. Most DSLR cameras have at least 3 of these sensors which the camera or the user can select. The speed and accuracy of through-the-lens optical auto focusing is now often more precise than what can be achieved manually with an ordinary viewfinder.

The problem arises when the camera's sensors cannot get enough light or when the depth-off-field is too shallow or when the camera cannot keep up with the action So what might some of these situations be?

1. Macro Photography
2. Portraits
3. Low Light Photography
4. Action Shots
5. Shooting Pictures Through Glass or Fences/Screen

Macro Photography
When shooting macro photography (extreme close-ups) most SLR/DSLR cameras have a very hard time finding the correct focus point due to the very shallow depth-of -field. If you try to shoot macro photography using auto focus you would find that the camera would struggle whiring back and forth trying to find a point of focus. When I shoot macro I exclusively manual focus my camera.

Portraits
When shooting portraits focus needs to be spot on. Most portrait shots require having the subjects eyes in perfect focus and manual focusing will allow you to dial in that focus point.

Low Light Photography
Cameras have a very hard time focusing in low light situations due to the lack of light entering the camera's sensor(s). You’ll know when your camera is struggling using auto focus when every time you go to take a shot the lens will whirl from one end of it’s focusing options to the other and back again before deciding on where to focus.

Action Shots
When shooting fast moving objects your cameras auto focus mode might get confused, even if you are using the continuous focus setting. The best way around this is to use manual focus and prefocus on a point that the subject will move through - and shoot at that point.

Shooting Pictures Through Glass or Fences/Screens
When shooting through something that may seem like they may not interfere don't be so sure. When using auto focus the camera may want to focus on the nearer point be it glass, fencing, or a screen. To keep the camera from focusing on these items and to be able to get that candid shot use manual focus. It will allow you to tell the camera exactly what you want to be in focus and what you want to be blurred.

Shooting Photographs With Feeling

One of the most important keys to shooting great photographs is to shoot with feeling. By feeling I mean think about the subject of your picture and think about what you want to portray. What you are trying to accomplish is to give your audience the same feeling you had while taking the photo. If the picture is of a person you also want to try to show what the person was feeling. Here is an article written by Rick Sammon to help explain what I am trying to convey.

"I used to teach piano, specializing in jazz improvisation. (Many photographers, including Ansel Adams and Gordon Parks, were/are musicians. Many musicians, including Graham Nash, are also avid photographers.)  I’d like to share with my fellow photographers some of the conversations I had with my first-time piano students – which actually have something in common with my photo workshops students. Here we go!

Student: "Rick, do you think I should use a blues scale for my solo . . . or do you think maybe playing in fourths [very open sound] would be better?"

Rick Sammon: "It does not matter what notes you play, it matters how you play them."

Student: “Uh . . . that really helps me, Rick. Okay, do you think my solo would sound better on a Hammond B-3 organ or a Fender Rhodes electric piano or a Yamaha grand?"

Rick Sammon: "Personally, I like the organ . . . and the piano . . . and the synthesizer . . . and the grand piano.  But have you ever considered the accordion? Billy Joel uses it, and so does Toots Thielemans."

Getting a bit agitated at this point, the student says, "Fine, you are a big $#%! help. I'm not taking lessons from someone who can't teach me anything. I'm out of here."  Smiling, hoping that I can keep the student, who I really want to help because I truly enjoy teaching, I say, "Before you go, I'd like to give you some free advice, if I may."

Student: "What's that, maestro?" 

Rick Sammon: "Don't think so technical, although technique is important. When you play, play with feeling. Play with passion. Above all . . . play for yourself."

Reactions to my comments varied, from a big smile to eyes filling up with tears.

In case you were wondering, I did keep all my students. (I've had participants on my photo workshops get emotional in portfolio reviews on more than on occasion. That's very understandable. I know how important photography is to each and every person.)"  ~ Rick Sammon

As you can see from the article above ... photography, much like music, is about feeling and passion. So go have fun shooting pictures and just remember to shoot them with feeling.

Your Most Important Piece Of Equipment... And It Isn't In Your Camera Bag!

Here is a short story to start off this post. This story is from Adorama.com

"One of the most successful photographers of the 20th century, Henri Cartier-Bresson, had a single camera--a Leica rangefinder--and a 50mm lens. He didn't even have a light meter. He shot black-and-white film, hand-holding for every frame. He stopped every 36 exposures to rewind and reload. He had to wait until that night or the next day, or perhaps longer, to process the negatives, make contact sheets and study them with a Magnifying loupe to see the results. And with that simple set-up, he built a body of work that would influence generations of photographers and help to define photojournalism."  ~ Mason Resnick

With that being said... Nowadays, cameras offer many, many sophisticated options. Artificial intelligence-based metering, auto exposure and autofocus, super long zoom lenses, and super fast burst rates just to name a few. But with all these technical innovations we still forget to use the most important piece of equipment, our brains. The camera companies have yet to create a camera that can compose a shot, or see how colors, light, and shape interact, but unfortunately we still seem to rely on the camera, itself, to create a great shot. Unfortunately, the camera is only capable of making a correct exposure. So it is still up to our brains to modify the exposure to fit the mood of the picture, or to find the proper placement of the camera to produce the proper shot, or to decide what to leave in or remove from the frame.

So as you can see, just like Henri Cartier-Bresson, we need to use our brains to create the next great shot. So it doesn't matter if you are using the latest top-of-the-line DSLR, a compact, or a film camera don't forget to use your most important piece of equipment ... your brain.

Why You Should Own A Prime Lens

What is a prime lens?  A prime lens, according to Wikipedia, "is either a photographic lens whose focal length is fixed, as opposed to a zoom lens, or it is the primary lens in combination lens system".  In essence, a prime lens has no zooming capabilities it is only able to be focused.  Prime lenses are great for many different applications.  They can be used for portraiture, macro photography, sporting events, etc.  Prime lenses range from around the 10 mm area to well above 200 mm.  So you will be able to find a prime lens to suit your needs.

So now you are asking "Why should I own one?".  Well if you are really into photography there are many reasons to own a prime lens but here are five reasons to get you started.  1. They are fun.  2. They are nostalgic,  all of the original cameras came with nothing but prime lenses.  3. They have razor sharp focus.  4. They usually have large apertures somewhere around ƒ/1.4 or larger.  So now you can take great pictures in low light without using a flash.  5. They are relatively inexpensive starting at around $150.00.  So go out and get one of these great prime lenses and get to shooting.

How To Help Keep Your DSLR's Sensor Free From Dust

1. When changing your lens try to do so with the camera pointed down or away from the wind.
2. When using a zoom lens try to zoom in and out slowly to help reduce the risk of the lens causing suction and pulling dust into the camera body through the lens.
3. When shooting in dusty or windy conditions, such as the beach, try wrapping the camera body in a plastic bag to help keep out dust and sand.
4. If you must change a lens out in the field, while shooting outdoor photography, try to do so in a somewhat sheltered place such as a bus stop, a building, or in your car.
5. Be sure to turn your camera off before changing lenses, this helps reduce the risk of dust particles being electrically attracted and sticking to the sensor.
6. Try to be prepared, when changing your lens try to have your lens "ready to go" to avoid extended periods of time with nothing protecting the camera body.
7. The best way to keep your sensor clean is to just pick a lens and stick with it but if you can't these tips will help you keep your sensor clean.