2 Set the correct focusing mode

Sharpen up your technique by selecting the right settings for your subject

Getting your shot precisely in focus on the desired area is one of the fundamentals of good photography. The autofocus systems on modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras are excellent, but they still need help to control where and how they choose focus.

Without this, it’s easy to focus in the wrong place. Accurate focusing is one of the best reasons to get away from shooting in full Auto mode. Leave it to your camera to automatically make this decision and the chances are it won’t get it right. It’ll base its decision on what’s nearest and what has the most amount of contrast. But there’s a strong chance that this isn’t where you want your focus to be, and you can’t change the focus point after you’ve taken your shot. Therefore, it’s absolutely vital that you select the right AF mode for the subject that you are shooting.

These AF modes alone can be the difference between getting your shot sharp or not, so take some time to understand what each AF mode does. Combine the right AF mode with taking control of your active AF points – whether that’s just a single AF point or a group – and you’ll give yourself every chance of creative and accurate focusing, whatever the subject is.