Controlling your camera’s autofocus and knowing when to switch to manual focus is one of the most important aspects of travel and wildlife photography.
Autofocus points
It’s so easy to mess up a great shot by allowing your camera to focus on the wrong part of the subject. Most modern cameras have a series of autofocus points (marked in the viewfinder) and you should practise passing the focus point from one to the other until you are completely comfortable.
Autofocus modes
In addition, learn how your camera’s autofocus modes work. Many of the latest SLR cameras have single servo, continuous and manual modes.
In single servo, the camera focuses on a point and then locks onto it as long as your finger remains half-depressed on the shutter release button. This allows you to focus and then recompose slightly without losing the focal point.
In continuous mode, the camera will keep focusing constantly. This is great if your subject is moving but, if you focus and then recompose, your camera will refocus on possibly the ‘wrong’ spot.
In manual, it is all up to you and you have maximum control, but this mode is – for obvious reasons – a lot slower than autofocus systems.
Why use manual focus?
When photographing static subjects – still life, landscapes, food or even macro shots, manual focus works best. It gives you precise control while allowing you to compose the scene at leisure. Just remember to refocus every time you move further from or closer to your subject.
One of the most important aspects which will improve your ability to focus is learning to interpret the focus screen in your viewfinder. On some older cameras, this was easy, as they had a little split, round thingy mid-frame that helped in establishing if an image was in focus.
Modern cameras offer a clearmatte focus screen, which works on the principle that if it looks sharp through the viewfinder, it is. However, make sure your viewfinder is adjusted for your eyes and then practise. It’s often difficult to get it just right.
Many cameras also help you out with an in-focus light or beep, but this is not infallible. Remember, what you see through the viewfinder is what you’ll get.
