A perfectly exposed, beautifully composed photograph can be ruined by one simple thing: missed focus. Nailing your focus is arguably the most critical technical skill in photography. It's the difference between a snapshot and a keeper. Let's move beyond "auto" and explore how to take control.
Understanding Autofocus Modes: AF-S vs. AF-C
Your camera's autofocus is brilliant, but it's not a mind reader. You need to tell it what to do. The two most important modes are:
- Single-Servo AF (AF-S / One-Shot AF): This mode locks focus once and stays there. It's perfect for static subjects like portraits, landscapes, or architectural shots. You press the shutter halfway, the camera beeps, and the focus is locked until you take the picture.
- Continuous-Servo AF (AF-C / AI Servo): This mode continuously adjusts focus on a subject as long as you hold the shutter button halfway down. This is your go-to mode for anything that moves: sports, wildlife, children playing, or street photography.
The Power of Manual Focus & Focus Peaking
Don't be afraid of manual focus! In some situations, it's far more reliable than autofocus. For macro photography, low-light scenes, or shooting video, manual focus gives you precise control. Modern mirrorless cameras make this easy with a feature called Focus Peaking, which highlights the in-focus areas of your image with a bright color. It’s like having superpowers.
Focus isn't just a technical setting; it's a storytelling tool. What you choose to make sharp, and what you choose to leave blurry, directs your viewer's eye and tells them what's important in your story.
In portraiture, the rule is almost always "focus on the eyes." In a landscape, you might want everything from the foreground flowers to the distant mountains to be sharp. By mastering both auto and manual focus techniques, you're not just creating sharper images—you're becoming a more intentional storyteller.