How to Properly Focus Elements on Frame When Shooting With Autofocus

Autofunctions in digital cameras are made available for more convenient use, especially in fast and amateur shooting setups. Whether using a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera, one of the most popular camera features is the autofocus function. This allows you to produce sharp images without thorough knowledge in photography. However, for some reason, using this autofunction doesn't always instantly provide positive results.

Focusing on the Wrong Element on Frame

Although a camera's autofocus function generally works when snapping a photo, there are times that the shot automatically focuses on a specific element on frame that is not really your main subject. This typically happens when you place your intended subject off-center. In such cases, the focus point ends up on the wrong part of the frame, making your main subject look blurred.

Common Autofocus Mishaps

As a concrete example, if you want an object very near the camera lens on the right side of the frame to be the shot's focus, using the autofocus function may not always work. It is possible that the shot's background becomes the focused part of the shot instead. Another example: If your foreground is a group of friends situated on the left and right sides of the frame and you want them to be the focused elements on the photo, the autofocus may hone in on the middle part of the frame to reveal the mountain background behind your subjects.

Changing the Camera's Focus and Locking Its Focus Point

When in autofocus mode, your camera's focus point is by default located on the center part of the frame. A number of professional and consumer cameras require their own steps on how to change and lock the focus point when shooting. DSLR cameras have the ideal manual settings allowing you to specify where exactly you want your shot to be set in focus. For digital cameras available in the mass market, certain models provide fancy features such as automatically allowing them to recognize human faces. This makes it easier to focus on human subjects regardless of where they are located on frame.

For cameras geared towards professionals and hobbyists, using more technical and manual options in changing and locking the focus is more preferred. Although the actual process depends on the camera used, the basic steps involve looking into the camera's viewfinder or LCD screen while under the focus point menu, then the scroll buttons are used to set the focus point on your intended part of the frame.

Another more convenient option mainly available in DSLR cameras is pressing the shoot button halfway down until you see the focus lamp from the viewfinder signaling where the focus point of the shot is currently located. If unable to automatically focus on your desired element on frame, you can first compose your shot with the main subject on the center part of the frame so it can more easily become the focus of the shot. Press and hold the shoot button halfway down, then reorient the camera to your desired composition, and finally, fully press down the shoot button to take the picture. If this process doesn't work, you can always remedy the situation with the use of the camera's option for manual changing and locking of the focus point.