In this lesson: Learn how to employ different focusing modes to match various shooting situations

Utilizing different camera focusing modes allows you to learn how the camera focuses in different situations. Mastering your camera’s focusing modes also gives you an improved ability of effectively photographing your subject in varying lighting conditions.

A Quick Note

Many digital cameras offer several autofocus modes, and some include modes that aren’t described in this lesson. Some examples are single/multiple point focusing, auto/manual point selection, dynamic area, and 3D tracking. Refer to the camera’s owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with the options available on your model. For this exercise, we’ll deal with the three most common focusing modes: Continuous focusing, one-shot focusing, and manual focusing.

Mode #1: Continuous Focusing Mode

Use continuous focusing mode to keep moving objects sharp as you simultaneously track the object. As the shutter release is half-depressed, the continuous focusing mode initiates tracking focus. In this mode, the camera detects the subject’s movements and refocuses appropriately to maintain object sharpness.

For example, if you’re photographing wildlife, like the owl in flight shown above, continuous focusing mode allows you to maintain focus on the bird as you track it along its flight path. In other words, all you have to do is depress the shutter button halfway and keep the bird in the frame of your shot, and the camera will do all the heavy lifting regarding focusing on your behalf.

Mode #2: One-Shot Focusing Mode

One-shot focusing mode is what you should use when you want to create a single image of a reasonably still subject. This is by far the most common shooting mode for still life images, portraits, and everyday shooting situations. For example, since the woman in the portrait above is merely posing for the camera, a single image with one-shot focusing will work well. There is no motion for the camera (or you) to keep up with, so one-shot autofocus will obtain focus on the woman and maintain it for the single picture that you need.

Mode #3: Manual Focusing Mode

There are many shooting situations that will create issues for your camera’s autofocus system. Low-light and low-contrast scenes and atmospheric haze can confuse your camera’s autofocus system, resulting in an image that is simply out of focus. These conditions are the most common causes of poor image resolution when shooting in an autofocus mode as well. When these situations arise, manual focusing is the best alternative.

Using the image above as an example, you might manually focus on the tip of the nearest, largest tree that appears just right of center, approximately one-third of the way up from the bottom of the frame. Doing so would ensure that the most prominent tree in the shot is in sharp focus, while the trees both in front of and behind it are in focus as well.

Challenge Activity

Tackle the three exercises below to practice using the most appropriate focusing mode for a given shooting situation. These activities will also help familiarize you with how to switch between the various shooting modes quickly.

Exercise 1: Get Sporty With Continuous Autofocus

Attend a local sports event, such as a track meet, a car race, horse racing, and the like. The key is to have subjects that will be moving fast and in a predictable pattern, which will make it easier for you to track their movements.

Step 1: Select a vantage point that affords you a clear view of the movement of the subjects. For example, at a track event, you might position yourself at the end of the straightaway so you have a lengthy view as the subject approaches you.

Step 2: Select a spot where your subject(s) will move into, and make that the starting point in terms of when you begin to take your photos.

Step 3: Set your camera to continuous focusing mode.

Step 4: Bring the camera to your eye, framing up your moving subjects in advance of the spot you’ve selected. Track the action of the subjects while depressing the shutter button halfway. This will keep the camera continuously adjusting its focus on the moving subjects.

Step 5: When ready, press fully on the shutter button to get the shot. Take several exposures and compare the results.

Exercise 2: Practice Portraiture With One-Shot Focus

Find a person willing to pose for a few portraits, and position them in a location that has even lighting. Indoors under ample ambient lighting (as was done in the image above) is a good choice. Alternatively, you might place the subject near a window to take advantage of natural lighting or head outdoors for a completely natural look.

Step 1: Set your camera to one-shot focusing mode.

Step 2: Pose the model in a natural and relaxed position.

Step 3: Bring the camera to your eye, framing up the image, and take a series of photos. Try to maintain focus on the most important part of the subject’s face – his or her eyes.

Step 4: Experiment with your composition. Try taking a few close-ups, then take a few steps back for an environmental type of portrait. Utilize the selective focus technique you learned in lesson 4 as well to add some visual interest to the background.

Exercise 3: Tackling Low-Light Photos

With your camera mounted on a tripod, make a series of low-light exposures that include a well-lit subject. The subject might be lit from above, such as a vehicle or person under a street light. Alternatively, the subject might be illuminated from inside, like the tent in the image above. To make things easier on yourself, bring along a flashlight or a headlamp so you can see well enough to move around and to adjust your camera settings.

Step 1: Find an outdoor setting and plan a shoot at dusk. Remember to arrive early enough that you can capture some of the fading light of the day, as was done in the image above.

Step 2: Set your lens (and camera if necessary) to manual focus. In most cases, you can simply switch AF to the OFF position on a DSLR lens.

Step 3: Using the focusing ring on your lens, focus carefully on the lighted subject, then recompose the shot if necessary. Take a series of photos, adjusting the aperture, shutter speed, and/or ISO as necessary to maintain a well-exposed image.

Step 4: Change the lighting in the scene. For example, you might turn on your car’s headlights to illuminate the scene more. Then, as you did before, use the focusing ring to focus on the subject in the new lighting conditions. Repeat this process until you’re comfortable with manual focusing.