| How does auto focus work? | | | | will often read the contrast on a vertical and |
| When it works, auto focus is great. Your camera | | | | horizontal axis, whereas other focal points will only |
| gives you photographs that are clear with all the right | | | | read contrast vertically or horizontally, but not both. |
| spots in focus. When your camera finds an area | | | | By using the center point in a higher contrast area, |
| where there are light tones next to dark tones it | | | | you can often insure your camera is focused on the |
| chooses that area to lock in the focus. This exact | | | | right area. Other than the most expensive cameras, |
| spot where the camera searched for focus is called a | | | | the majority of cameras will not let you choose the |
| focal point. | | | | focal point. |
| So, what's a focal point? | | | | How do you know if your camera is choosing the |
| A focal point is a spot your camera uses to decide | | | | right point? |
| what should be in focus. Focus is achieved when | | | | You can tell if focal points are causing a blurry |
| these points find an area of high contrast and | | | | photograph by examining the image. If there is an |
| calibrates on this point. The cameras focal points are | | | | area of the background in focus, while your subject |
| fixed, meaning they do not move around, however | | | | is blurry, then you'll know that the camera chose the |
| most cameras have many points to chose from. | | | | wrong focal point, and focused on the background. |
| Some older cameras will only have one while some | | | | This is a problem, but it's one you can usually fix. |
| professional cameras have up to 45 focal points. | | | | Fix this problem with 4 simple steps |
| Are more better? | | | | By simple I mean really simple. It's almost exactly the |
| Yes more is better and no more is not better. Let | | | | same steps you already use to take a photograph. |
| me explain. When photographing a moving subject, | | | | 1. Point the center point at a high contrast area of |
| like sports or event photography, additional focal | | | | your subject. Eyes or mouth work well for people. |
| areas are helpful because of the need for achieving | | | | 2. Push and hold the shutter button down halfway. |
| fast focus. In situations where fast focus isn't nearly | | | | This causes your camera to focus. |
| as important as accurate focus, more points can | | | | 3. While the shutter button is still pushed down, you |
| actually impede accurate focus. What can typically | | | | can then recompose ( a fancy word for moving the |
| happen is the highest point of contrast will be in the | | | | camera to make sure the right things are in the |
| background of the image, causing the camera to | | | | viewfinder) |
| focus on this spot, leaving your real subject blurry. | | | | 4. Push the button down the rest of the way and |
| But, my subject is blurry still. Are all focal points the | | | | take the photograph. |
| same? | | | | Taking a photograph has never been this easy |
| No, they are not all the same. In most cameras the | | | | Okay, maybe this way isn't actually easier, but it will |
| center point is the most accurate. The center point | | | | lead to more images in focus. |