Why does my camera focus on the wrong part of a macro subject?

Fay Benstead, Birkenhead

Brian Says… Depth of field is significantly impacted when the subject distance is short, so the selection of the correct AF point is vital. As a first step, use a Single AF point – or even better, Spot AF, if your camera has it. It is also important to avoid focus locking and recomposing. It is much better to move the Single or Spot AF point to the right location in the frame. Above all, patience and practice pay off.

Using a 100mm macro lens, even at f/11, it was necessary to get really close to this crested gecko, which limits the depth of field