Photography Tip—How To Use Focus Lock To Stay in Control of Auto-Focus

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focus_zones image Digital photographers love the auto-focus feature that come on most digital cameras. It’s a natural for beginners and amateurs, and even the pros are finding it useful, especially if they shoot fast-action sports or don’t want to miss an important news photo. As marvelous as auto-focus may be, it is somewhat surprising how many photographers (hobbyists and even professionals) take pictures that show their subject(s) not in focus. The reason is very simple: the camera doesn’t read your mind to determine who or what should be in focus, but the center of the frame.

Many photos are shot, both casual and professional, where the subject(s) are purposely not in the center of the frame. You’re on vacation and you want to shoot a family member or traveling companion positioned on one side of a picture and some object (hotel, lighthouse, historical marker, etc.) on the other side to show where you’ve been. If neither the person nor object is in the center of the frame, then they won’t be in focus. The same problem occurs if you are photographing two people standing together. Leave too much space between them and the background will be in focus, not them.

Recommended Cameras:

Nikon D500 | Nikon D3300 | Canon EOS Rebel T5 | Sony A7RII | Canon 7D Mark II

As well as an auto-focus feature, you’re camera has a focus-lock feature. This is the tool that will help you stay in control of auto-focus and make sure it doesn’t misread what subject or object you intend to be in focus. Using focus lock is relatively easy, although it may require a bit of practice.

Regardless of where your want your subject or object to appear in the final photo, start with him, her or it in the exact center of the frame.
Depress the shutter button halfway, without releasing it.
As you keep the shutter depressed, the camera will lock focus on your subject or object, even if you move the camera.
Continue to hold the shutter release halfway, as you position the subject or object anywhere within the frame.
Press the shutter button fully to take the picture you’ve composed.

It’s recommended that you use photo lock whenever you shoot with a compact, or point-or-shoot, camera. This is important because you don’t see what the lens sees when looking at the viewfinder of a compact camera. The viewfinder has a separate view of the image and all of it always appears in focus. If you shoot with a DSLR camera, then you are looking through the lens and should notice that your primary subject or object is not in focus. In either case, too many photographers forget to use focus lock, especially if the light is low or they are in a hurry to capture a picture.

If you use one of the more than 200 million single-use, disposable cameras sold in the U. S. every year, then you won’t experience this auto-focus problem because those cameras have fixed focus. These cameras are often used during vacations, especially on the beach, where sand and water can easily damage a compact or DSLR camera beyond repair. Many manufacturers also offer underwater disposable cameras, so vacationers can shoot those kind of digital photos without the need for expensive waterproof cameras or housings. For more information, read the PhotographyTalk.com article, Digital Photography—How to Introduce Yourself to Underwater Photography.

Also Read: 23 things you must know to be successful in photography

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