Category: Guidelines for better photos


Getting Focused

Getting Focus

There are important things to remember when it comes to focusing.

1. The closer you are to your subject, it is important to make sure your focus is accurate.

2. If you are shooting a moving object that is moving to you or away from you, pre-select a mark at which you will wait until the subject comes to you.

Remember to keep the subject in view than press the shutter when the subject has hit your mark.

3. To bring the distance into focus, set your distance-scale to infinity.  To bring both the foreground and the distance into focus, you will want to increase your depth of field.

I personally like to set my focus on manual only because auto-focus has limitations. It all depends on the scene, subject and whether I am using my aperture or shutter as a primary.

When I first started taking pictures it was more of a hobby for me.  I bought a point and shoot camera with a good mega pixel that could produce quality photos, so that I could share with family and friends.

As my passion grew, I wanted to understand what made a good photo. My curiosity made me search out other photographer’s to study what I liked and what I did not like about their photo’s. I knew not to compare my photography to others because when I use to oil paint my colleagues always reminded me “paint what you like and don’t compare yourself to others or you will feel like your never good enough”. That statement rang true when I started out taking photographs, it was then I decided to go to school to truly understand the basics.

First, a good photograph has a clear subject. It’s about someone or something. Whoever looks at the photo immediately sees the subject.

Second, a good photograph focuses attention on the subject, the viewer’s eye is drawn to the subject.

Third, a good photograph simplifies. This means that only those elements that draw the eye to the subject should be in the photo.

When you think about these three steps the next time you press the shutter, you will pause because you start to notice all the un-necessary elements around your subject.

Try it… and see how your photos will improve.