This is something that has been a source of fear for me…

I, for some reason, thought that my eye would never be able to see what the camera sees as the best focus point.

Boy, was I wrong!

Let’s find your focus buttons.

(AF means auto while M means manual.)

This image shows you where your auto and manual focus dials are on both the lens and the body of the camera,

for a Nikon.

picture taken from a great article on using your auto focus:

http://www.dslr.my/2010/06/lesson-2-using-auto-focus/

Here is a Canon:

(Some of the lower grade DSLRs will not have a manual focus option, so you will need to work with your lenses.)

Photo taken from a wonderful article that gives a simple overview of your Canon Rebel’s use.

http://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/canon-rebel-camera/setup/

My tip this week is to play around with your Manual focus.

By turning the little ring attached to your lens, your eye will be able to see what is in focus and what isn’t.

You will be able to get pictures of totally different things, while not having to move an inch!

For instance:

I took these two photos of the same things, I just turned my focus ring a bit and was able to get two totally different images.

With the first, I focused on the snowflake, while with the second I was able to focus on the snow.

If you are in auto focus, this will be very difficult.

Your camera will have a hard time knowing what you want to focus on.

Now, go set your camera or lens to manual focus and see what you can create! 

Remember to have fun and be creative!

lots of love,

niki