How to Focus anywhere - VERY important beginner lesson - DSLR Photography Tutorial

[JustMeGiovanna1]

whats the name of the video of the person who did this explanation for the t2i ?

[Zephear]

For some reason trying to focus on the eye in single point mode is like playing a lottery with my D7000. It misses waaaay to often even at smaller apertures. Though it works much better if I'm focusing on something non-human, like a battery or smth. Surprisingly I found that AF-S Auto works noticeably better when I shoot portraits.

[LCAPhoto]

Thank you so much! I had no idea what that did! This helps so much and explains why my AF is always off.

[TheNuncFluens]

What would I have to do if I want the 3 objects in focus, but keep the background blurry. Is that possible?

[mancinoljm]

Great video, what focus mode do you suggest to shot in more than one person in the picture, like a few kids whole family I want all in focus and shallow depth of field. I normally shoot in A and have a 24-70 lens. If I use AFA where do you focus the one point? Should I switch to AFA and move my focus points over all the people? thanks so much

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@mancinoljm It wouldn't matter. If you shooting 1 person or 5, you'd still use AFS to where you want to focus. AFA is auto which means you have zero control over where the camera chooses to place the focal point. It could be on a hair/clothes etc which is wrong. So.. AFS but understand depth of field and focus plane so you can place the focal point in the right position. You'd have to watch some videos to understand focus plane and group shot video tutorial.

[mancinoljm]

@PhotographersOnUTube thanks for responding. I watched the video, and it is great but If I want all three items on the table to be in focus, the glue, film and chap stick would you change your aperture to be deeper so that all would be in focus, I understand that with single focus one object will be cleaner. Is that correct? so in this case what object would you focus on?

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@mancinoljm You'd have to focus on the closest subject and pick higher aperture value so it can get more in focus but if you drop below the minimum shutter speed hand held then the picture will be blurry. You can't use AFA because AFA is automatic mode. You have zero control over where the camera is going to focus.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@mancinoljm You'd have to focus on the closest subject and pick higher aperture value so it can get more in focus but if you drop below the minimum shutter speed hand held then the picture will be blurry. You can't use AFA because AFA is automatic mode. You have zero control over where the camera is going to focus.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@mancinoljm You'd have to focus on the closest subject and pick higher aperture value so it can get more in focus but if you drop below the minimum shutter speed hand held then the picture will be blurry. You can't use AFA because AFA is automatic mode. You have zero control over where the camera is going to focus.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@mancinoljm You'd have to focus on the closest subject and pick higher aperture value so it can get more in focus but if you drop below the minimum shutter speed hand held then the picture will be blurry. You can't use AFA because AFA is automatic mode. You have zero control over where the camera is going to focus.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@mancinoljm You'd have to focus on the closest subject and pick higher aperture value so it can get more in focus but if you drop below the minimum shutter speed hand held then the picture will be blurry. You can't use AFA because AFA is automatic mode. You have zero control over where the camera is going to focus.

[attiqbhayo]

what if we are taking group portraits where should we put the focal point,or we use Auto-Area AF ??

[sherrylynn7771]

what is the setting for getting clear focus on a big group?

[SkidplateBowl0fBeans]

So if i put 3 dots, thats how many objects i can have focus on?

[Kristii515]

What if you're shooting outdoors and your main focal point isn't right where these squares are? Can u focus with the ring?

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@Kristii515 Focal point is the square. You can manually focus as well but it's not a good idea as auto focus is pretty fast and accurate.

[NoLimit4Cards]

I'm new to photography and I feel stupid for asking this but what style is my camera? I mean is it a DSLR, SLR?? I have nooo clue lol I have a canon powershot SX30 IS. Please tell me which style it is, thanks.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@NoLimit4Cards SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex and DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens ReflexSingle Lens Reflex. Your camera is Point and Shoot.

[NoLimit4Cards]

@PhotographersOnUTube Thank you, so basically my camera cannot spot focus, or in other words I cannot focus on an object of my choice?

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@NoLimit4Cards I've never seen a point and shoot even the advanced ones that allow you to move the focal points around. I'm afraid that's the case. But if this is something you like then you keep practicing with P&S. I started with Sony P&S myself. Composition is way more important in the beginning. Good luck!

[infringinator]

is there a way to focus the entire frame (or just put it back in AF-A? ). Also is there a way to enlarge the area of what youre focusing with those squares? Could you put three squares to select the whole battery, or is it one square per picture or all of the squares in AF-A? I hope I Didnt confuse you lol

[sanathdcoolguy]

Well, here`s a dumb question. But I really need to get this thing clarified, There are 6 guys in my band, I need to take a shot of them. All are of diff skin tones, From Black to Fair, How shall I get the White balance right? and how to Focus on all of their eyes? As in the photoshoot, One will be behind the other- How to blur the rest of the background other than those 6? Who stand in a V Shape.

[appygirl970]

Thank you once again now I know how to do this on my D-90. YAY

[Flogos66]

This coupled with the "Focal Plane" video, was so eye opening to me, thanks again man! I've been watching your videos all day, lol....

[lakshya0071]

thanx

[krishnamvizag]

hi here, i have Nikon D5100 with AF S 18-55mm lens. Do I need to switch to M from A on the lens as well? Please advise.

[Sharpie480]

Your videos are great and I am learning so much. Sometimes reading the book isn't as good as some showing you, and then me doing the settings. Thank you for all your hard work to help others.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@Sharpie480 Thank you much. Whenever you learn something new, give it a thumbs UP! Believe it or not but it helps as YouTube may feature some of the videos. Every thumbs up counts :)

[jamit141]

you're extremely good with your explanations. learning a lot from you!

[JamieLePhotography]

First of all, great video!! But I have a question. Maybe i missed it...but i don't think you showed us how to move the little square around. You showed us how to change the focus MODE...but how do you change the focal POINT? (the square thingy lol)

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@JamieLePhotography lol. Yes, I did miss that. I posted a reply to rowlingrides right below your post that will teach you how to move the squares points around. You can also watch my video on Aperture (main video of the channel) in which I've shown how to move the square points around. If you're still having trouble, please let me know on FB and I'll try to upload a few pictures for you to explain it.

[JamieLePhotography]

@PhotographersOnUTube Okay, thank you! :) keep on posting those vids. they are awesome!! Learned so much from you!!

[rowlingrides2]

this might be a silly question how exactly are you shifting the single square box around the screen,I cant do it,I have Nikon D7000.thanks!

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@rowlingrides2 Set the camera to AFS and [ . ] like I showed in the video and on the back of the camera on the right side you'll see dial like thing. It has different arrows. You move those arrows around. When the camera goes in idle then press the shutter button half way and move the arrows again. Please click on my channel and watch my video on aperture. I've demonstrated how to move the arrows in that video. Good luck!

[rowlingrides2]

@PhotographersOnUTube "press the shutter button half way "..thats what I wasnt doing,thanks a lot !! great work!

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@rowlingrides2 Thank you! Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already.

[rodbo]

Learning about moving the focal points has been one of the most important lessons I have learned from you. It had not occurred to me in my early shooting, to do this. My focus (no Pun intended) was on mastering the aperture and shutter speed to get proper exposure. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have helped me to achieve. I consider you a friend and mentor, even though we have not met. My offer for dinner stands should I make it over to the other coast.

[MsDigiscrapper]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I was so confused! :)

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@MsDigiscrapper Not anymore :)

[GoldenPearl13]

Hello, do you know a really good lens for beginners that takes really good shots & is cheap in price ?

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@GoldenPearl13 You can check out my website's Useful Info tab.

[rodbo]

Another great lesson...I have new knowledge to take to the field and I'm one step closer to better photography........Thanks

[AcXr50]

Very easy! I read a bunch of forums that gave me the runaround. THUMBSUP

[ArianaBautista]

Hi! When photographing two people, how would I get them both in focus without having to always have them positioned on the same plane? I'm concerned when lowering my aperture and having the background distract from the two subjects. Is there a way I can still blur the background? Thanks! & Great video :)

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@ArianaBautista Thanks! I just posted a reply to the same question you asked on facebook. Youtube doesn't allow me to post URLs when I give a picture example.

[ArianaBautista]

@PhotographersOnUTube Thanks so much! 

[itzihuariquintero]

Wow thanks a lot this helped me tons. Good video. Very detailed.

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@itzihuariquintero Thank you! Hey man.. where is my Thumbs UP? Haha.

[shule990]

@PhotographersOnUTube

i have problem when i try to focus in low light situation. When i try to use flesh, camera can't shoot when lens is on autofocus mode. Do u have any advice?

[PhotographersOnUTube]

@shule990 You're probably using a kit lens. You need bigger aperture lens to let more light in.