Take Control of Auto Focus

When you use your camera in full Auto mode, all of the auto focus points are actively looking for something to focus on. Sometimes this means the camera focuses on the wrong thing.

Multiple focus points active


The camera focused on the trees outside instead of the cat.

You can take charge of where the auto focus (AF) works by changing the auto focus area from multiple points to a single point in the center. (See your camera manual for instructions.) After you do so, only the center AF square will work. So place that square on the subject you want sharp and take the photo.

Single center focus point active

I placed the single focus point over the large container to ensure it was sharply focused.

To learn how to make this and other changes to your camera settings, check out my one-day Getting to Know Your Digital SLR Camera class on January 27, 2018, in Missoula, Montana. (There's also a session on February 24.) Any camera that allows you to switch lenses is appropriate for this class. Click here to register online.