Choosing Where To Focus Part 1

Choosing where to focus depends on the image you're taking and you have to work with your Depth of Field in mind too. Some images have a subject within them as with a portrait whilst others like landscapes the whole image is the subject. So you have to choose the aperture and point of focus that's appropriate.

The best way to explain where to focus is for you to watch the video which centres around people. In part 2 we're going to look more at where to focus when you're shooting a landscape.

[MikeBrowne]

Hey Kyle. Manual focus is pretty straight forward. Turn the focus ring until the area you want in focus looks sharp in the viewfinder.. There isn't a 'Should' use it time. If your camera can't focus on something for whatever reason manual focus will save the day.

[MikeBrowne]

Also had one of the first HD Evos - a 1986 FXR - loved everyone one of the 50, 000 miles I put on it and would like another some day. The old triumph in the backlighting film is a great bike. The guy built it out of odds and ends he had in his garage.

[sparkysteele]

You are without a doubt the best teacher I have ever had
Thank you so much flor all the time time and effort you put into your lessons

[deseng]

seen a lot of videos and read a lot on different topics. Yours are lucid and pertinent. THANK YOU

[TheBiggervern]

Best explanation of depth of field I have seen. Thank you Mike!

[MikeBrowne]

Thank you Peter. Please help us spread the word and grow the community by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing our videos and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc

[demofactory]

I am a long term photography enthusiest. Happily, even after many years, I am still learning new tips and techniques thanks to you mike. Thanks for all the effort you put into your teaching. Your ability to teach and entertain makes photography as fun today as it was the first time I picked up a

[pinkfurryhat]

Wow a year of photography and you made me understand it in less that five minutes. I kept getting the aperture/light level/dof rules mixed up

[MikeBrowne]

Thank you. That is a very kind and generous comment. Great to know we're helping. Please help us spread the word about our films by 'liking' 'G+ing', sharing them and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc

[MikeBrowne]

For fast moving street stuff it's best to set your iso as high as you dare and aperture as small as possible for the light you're in so depth of field is as large as possible. Don't forget to check your shutter speed is fast enough you don't get camera shake though. As a rough guide I'd focus on the one in the middle but whether you get all three in focus or not will depend on how far apart they are and the focal length of your lens. Shorter lenses have greater DOF.

[MikeBrowne]

Ha ha - I have a 1999 Triumph Legend which I bought new and have done 75, 000 miles on it now. A Honda XR 400 for playing on the dirt and an old 1950 BSA B31 350 for when I need to take it easy :-)

[JPYvideos]

Hey Mike,

Thanks a lot for responding. Yes, I've watched that video a number of times, good one! Guess I just have to be more mindful of my shutter speed. I didn't know that the shutter had to be as fast or faster than the focal length of the lens. I've gone back in my pictures and have taken note of the settings on them. So, you set fstop then shutter, then iso right? Seems the first two determine what iso is needed. Just have to keep watching to commit it to memory. TY v much!

[jaroslavstefka]

hi mike,

i am new in photography and your videos are very helpful. i really like them because you can explain everything so clearly. thanks for your videos, your effort and hard work.

[MikeBrowne]

Thanks Jamie. I'll see what we can come up with re portrait photography.

[TitoSkate]

Mike browne your the best! Thanks for ur videos

[MikeBrowne]

Yes - hyperfocal distance is really a big word to describe choosing where to focus. Canon cameras have their a-dep setting which in theory chooses the perfect hyperfocal distance for you. I use Nikons so don't have any experience of it though. - Mike

[DebiHolmes]

Fantastic! I was nearly brain dead watching sooo many photography videos, until I stumbled across one of yours. I have already watched a few and am inspired once again to get out and experiment. Your videos are to the point, clear, informative, at times funny, and it's just cool to listen to you talk. Nice editing as well. Keep up the great work!

[jerraleen]

Thank you for your passion in teaching. You make complicated things so simple and comprehensible.

[jaredjds]

Thanks Mike! I watch all your videos! great teaching man. I have taken your words to not worrying about what people think, but getting the shot!

[MikeBrowne]

Hi Jim. As you probably know by now I'm not a tech kind of guy and have never heard of a stagnent focal local lock. If you've tested to make sure it's not camera shake by checking shutter speed v focal length and maybe using a tripod and it makes no difference then yes take it to the menders. I'm guessing but my money is on it being camera shake though. Have a look at this video /watch?v=s2b62BJIw5c