While you’re getting used to shooting in manual, try photographing still subjects, like flowers or other objects. It will be a lot harder to focus manually if you’re shooting moving objects or people. [2] X Expert Source Victoria SprungProfessional Photographer Expert Interview. 14 April 2020. When set to automatic focus, depressing the shutter button halfway automatically adjusts the focus. In manual mode, you’ll rotate the focus ring on the lens. Be sure to switch your camera to manual focus before twisting the focus ring. Adjusting the focusing ring while the camera is in automatic focus may damage the lens.
Play with the focus function as you observe how the shot changes to get a feel for manual adjustment. Look for 2 scales of numbers labeled “ft” and “m” around the focus ring. The number displayed through the viewing window or aligned with a mark tells you where the lens is focusing. If you see 1. 25 on the viewer or aligned with an arrow, objects 1. 25 ft (0. 38 m) away from the lens are in focus. When you’re focusing on your subject, try to make sure the focus is on their eyes, so their eyes appear nice and clear. Then, you can create different looks by adjusting the aperture. [4] X Expert Source Stephen CardoneProfessional Photographer Expert Interview. 5 May 2020. If you use a wide aperture, you can create a soft focus in the background. That way, the subject will still be in focus, but the background behind them will be blurred. [5] X Expert Source Stephen CardoneProfessional Photographer Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.
Most photographers prefer to look through the viewfinder when they take photographs. Holding the camera to your face braces it and minimizes movement. You can still take the photograph using the viewfinder, but use the LCD screen to adjust your focus. Note that once you’ve set the focus, you must keep the camera that distance away from the subject. The subject will become unfocused if it moves outside the range noted on the focus ring. For this reason, autofocus is best for moving objects.
For instance, if you’re taking a portrait, place the camera on a tripod, set your focus to 3 ft (0. 91 m), and position the sitter exactly that distance from the camera lens. Measuring works well in a studio setting with still objects, but it probably won’t be an option if you’re shooting in the field. When you can’t make an exact measurement, estimate the distance and adjust the focus using the LCD screen.
Your DSLR probably came with a basic kit lens, such as an 18-105 mm with a minimum focus distance of 1. 48 ft (0. 45 m). This means it can’t focus on objects closer than 1. 48 ft (0. 45 m) at full zoom. A good macro lens, which is intended for highly detailed close-ups, can focus on objects 8 in (20 cm) or less from the lens at full zoom. Point-and-shoot cameras with optical zoom also have minimum focus distances. If you don’t have a DSLR, you can still manipulate the depth of field to achieve a sharply focused subject with a blurred background. [9] X Research source
Depth of field is the amount of the photograph that appears sharp from the foreground to background. When a photograph is taken at a shallow depth of field, an object closer to the lens appears in sharp focus, and the background is blurred.
Look for a dial on the top of your camera. Set it to “A” or “Av,” which denotes aperture priority mode. In this mode, you set the aperture, and the camera automatically sets shutter speed. In “M,” or manual mode, you select both the aperture and shutter speed. If you have a point-and-shoot camera, you might be able to manually control the aperture, but not all models offer this feature. If you can’t, you should still be able to achieve a shallow depth of field by zooming all the way in at the minimum focus distance. [12] X Research source
For instance, photographing a flower at least 10 to 15 ft (3. 0 to 4. 6 m) in front of background objects will give you more blur than if there are objects 1 ft (0. 30 m) behind it. This principle also applies to smartphone cameras. To a degree, you can achieve the effects of a shallow depth of field, even though phone cameras don’t have optical zoom. [14] X Research source
Go with a faster shutter speed to decrease brightness. If the current setting is 200, this means the shutter speed is 1/200 of a second. Try incrementally faster shutter speeds, such as 1/500 or 1/1000, until you achieve your desired brightness. [16] X Research source Make sure your ISO is set to 100 or 200. In well-lit conditions, higher ISO settings will produce grainy, noisy photographs. [17] X Research source The exact methods for setting shutter speed and ISO vary by camera model, so look through your menu options or check your user manual for specific instructions.
Press and hold the screen to lock the focus on your subject. This means if other objects in the frame change position, your phone will stay focused where you’ve selected. Note that the subject you’ve locked focus on needs to stay put, or it’ll become unfocused. Additionally, keep your phone the same distance from the subject after setting the focus. Don’t bring it closer to or farther away from the subject, or you’ll lose focus.
If you don’t have a tripod handy, try bracing the phone on a surface. If you have to hold it in the air, try to keep your arms as close to your body as possible. Hold your breath while taking the photograph, or do your best to slow your breathing. Good lighting can also reduce blur due to shaking. In lower light, the shutter speed is slower, which leaves more time for shaking to blur the image.
Instead of using digital zoom, bring the camera’s lens as close to the subject as possible. Keep in mind most smartphone cameras can’t focus on objects less than 3 in (7. 6 cm) from the lens. [21] X Research source
Check your smartphone camera settings for macro or portrait modes. In these modes, you’ll have an easier time achieving a sharply focused subject with a blurred background.
