This technique for achieving razor sharp focus in your digital SLR camera came to me by way of the very wonderful Algonquin Park photographer Andrew Collett.
I haven’t mentioned it before as it only applies to cameras with a Live View function that allows you to view your subjects ‘live’ on your LCD screen instead of through the viewfinder. This Live View function is now available in pretty much all the new Canon and Nikon models and probably all the others as well – so it now applies to a much wider group of amateur photographers.
So what’s the secret?
First, get your camera on a tripod and your flip your lens to ‘manual focus MF instead of AF autofocus’.
The switch for this will be on the barrel of your lens as shown in the image to the left.
Switching to MF means that you will be turning the focus ring on the lens to focus on your subject.
When it’s on AF, the lens does the focusing for you.
With me so far?
Now switch your camera to Live View mode. You’ll know you are in Live View mode when the world suddenly appears on your LCD screen, somewhat as if your camera was a point and shoot.
For most cameras this will involve a trip into the menu along the lines of ‘Live View’ ‘Enable”, and then pressing the designated button on the back of the camera to activate.
No this is NOT hard – it’s just a couple of buttons, just find out where they are, you’ll see, it’s totally worth it!
As promised – razor sharp shots:
Turn Live View on and set your camera up to focus on a (static) subject. Rotate the focus ring on your lens until your subject appears pretty sharp on your LCD.
Notice that there is a focus box of some kind on your screen and that you can use the buttons/joystick on the back of the camera to shift this box around the frame. Move the box to the area of your subject that you want to be the most sharp.
You are now in a position to magnify your subject using the same buttons on your camera that allow you to zoom in when your are reviewing your photos. These buttons (example shown left) will usually have a ‘magnifying glass’ icon containing a ‘+’ and ‘-’ in the centre. They are often positioned top right. To magnify or zoom in, press the ‘+’ button.
Press the button once and you’ll see your subject magnified on your LCD. Try adjusting the focus ring to get your subject even sharper than it had previously appeared.
Press the button once again to really magnify your subject and you’ll see that you can still adjust your focus even a little bit more.
Your subject is now as sharp as possible – and by the way – really cool to see.
All that’s left to do is press the shutter and take the shot.
A Live View focus comparison
Here I’ve taken two quick shots of a little jeweled lamp shade that I have. One using my lens’ autofocus (and it’s a very fast, very sharp lens) and the second using the Live View technique. I have cropped to only a fraction of the original image so you can see the difference in the edges. Apologies for the deteriorated appearance caused by the extensive magnification.
The second photo is sharper and if this is not immediately apparent looks at the texture of the material on the shade and you can easily see how much clearer it is. Extra sharpness at this level will give you incredible sharpness throughout your image (although this will of course be affected by your choice of aperture). This will be particularly fabulous for landscape and macro shots, which are more typically the ones where you might be using a tripod and shooting a ‘static’ image. This is not going to help you for portraits unless your subject can sit completely still (unlikely!)
I’ll add a few more examples later but for now let me encourage you to work through the settings and give this a try. Believe me as soon as you see the magnified image on your screen you’ll be hooked!
And,surprise! I just happen to give them. I have a lovely Holiday Gift Certificate if I do say so myself which can be mailed or – if you live fairly close to me in Toronto – delivered. You can purchase as many or as few sessions as you like. Right now my Holiday Series for SLR cameras is $269 for 4 sessions, a little less for point and shoot. Single sessions are $75/$65.
Sessions are usually 1.5 to 2 hours, and can be in your home or my studio, whichever you prefer. Absolutely no technical experience, photographic ability, creative genius required. Just show up and you’ll learn how to step away from the auto button and use your camera’s full range of capabilities. Plus – we’ll have a lot of fun (unless you don’t do your homework – then it gets ugly!)
I am also planning to hold some 4 person workshops in the spring, so if that’s something your loved one might be interested in – it would be fine to use the gift card for that. Workshops will be $300 for 6 sessions.
For more information, questions or to sign up – please email nicole@nicoleolds.com or call Nicole at 647.888.8161.
Taken at a SF Giants spring training game – this is one of my all-time favourites.
Firstly because, well . . . awwww.
Second because I have never been so well rewarded for having my camera ‘at the ready’.
As I sat watching the game – which was a riot of colour – a bright sunny day, red uniforms, green grass, the whole bit – I set my camera so that if something were to strike my eye I would be ready to shoot.
As I turn around I spot this little guy on his mom’s shoulders – he was watching me taking photos – I raised my camera and snapped a shot. Checked. Blurry. I realized my lens was set for distance shots not close-ups – flipped the little switch in 1 second, got him to raise his glove next to his face and then snapped another shot – this shot.
So lesson #1 – be ready. Lesson #2 – know you’re equipment. 90% of candid photography combines these two things. The other 10% – looking up and having the joy of seeing a little fellow with eyes like this staring at you! (Yes I did get his mom’s permission to publish this photo).
You might not be out there trying to get photos of anyone other than your own family and friends – but if that’s your plan – then check the light, check the surroundings and get your camera ready before events start to unfold. If your subjects have to wait while you adjust your settings – the candid moment will be lost. If you’re settings aren’t correct to start with – the photo might be lost. So channel your inner Boy Scout/Girl Guide and BE PREPARED.
Welcome! If you have arrived here as a result of my ad in the Mooredale News – please click here to access the Better Photo Series Page! Sign up for the series and be on your way to better photography before the Toronto spring is over (if it ever arrives!)
Meanwhile here’s a colourful (no photoshop) photo by way of encouragement – this was just before my nine new best friends and I piled into this basket (Phoenix, AZ) for our first balloon flight. This shot wasn’t taken with a point and shoot camera, but it could have been – conditions were perfect for a quality photo. What conditions would those be you ask? Sign up for the Better Photo sessions and I promise I’ll tell all!
Haven’t posted in a while so I thought I’d take a stab at uploading a gallery from Lightroom 3.
These were all taken at the Don Valley Brickworks – a fabulous Toronto location as far as photography goes.
As is always the case early risers are rewarded with the best shots as mist rises from the ponds and the sun’s rays suddenly shine through about 30 minutes after dawn.
Grasses, trees, flowers, ponds, bridges – the DVB has a little of everything and is run in a very relaxed fashion – you can venture right into the grasses and down by the water without a whole bunch of signs saying you can’t do this or that. It’s great!
Hint: You can always google Toronto sunrise times to quickly find sunrise/sunset info for any date.
How do you go about taking a photo like this? We all know what Christmas trees look like, so how can we take a photo that’s a little more interesting and capture a little of that Christmas tree magic? Let’s go through the process…
First off – it’s evening, there are no presents under the tree – decision #1, leave out the bottom of the tree.
Second this was at a party and there was a table with three guests directly to the right. Decision #2, frame so they aren’t in the shot, use opportunity to put center line of tree along the left ‘thirds’ line of the photo. (See post on composition)
Third any shot including the angel at the top of the tree would also take in a lot of uninteresting wall and ceiling – decision #3, leave out the angel. This is the type of decision that will set you apart as a photographer – you don’t have to get the whole tree – as I’ve said, we all know what they look like – many times in photography less will turn out to be so much more.
Fourth, the reflection of the tree light in the latticed window is awesome, so why not include it? Decision #4 – include the magical reflection.
Last but best and by far the most important – I set my camera so that I could take this photo with NO FLASH. Flash would have reflected off the ornaments and in the window – while turning everything behind the tree black. Sad, sad, sad… I do have an SLR that allows me to do this, but nowadays most point and shoots will allow you to do it too.
Tune in for my next post and I’ll give you a step-by-step on taking indoor photos without flash…
How’s the Holiday shopping going? Knocked everyone off your list?
No?
Just letting you know then, that I do have a very fine gift card (with envelope) that you can purchase for my services.
And . . .I’m running a little ‘Holiday’ special of 4 photography lessons for $250 (includes HST). SLR’s, point-and-shoots – any camera is fine. No prior knowledge of photography required. All other rates are on my photography lessons page. The card itself is free (bonus!)
A great gift if you are planning on giving a loved one a brand new SLR, this would be especially good if you are pretty sure they won’t know how to use it on anything but ‘auto’ – which is a waste of the money spent on a good camera.
Gift cards can also be given in any amount for all my other services, portrait sessions, photo management lessons, photobooks and so on. I also retouch and restore old or special photos for framing or preservation. I will have more about this service on the website soon – as in after the holidays – no time at the moment!
To order or just discuss your gift idea, please email me at nicole@nicoleolds.com. Happy Holidays everyone!
Had a FABULOUS time this week with the three young ladies that attended my inaugural ‘Photography and Photoshop Camp’ – honestly you cannot have more fun in a week!
Ali, Maude and Claire bowled me over with their enthusiasm, creativity and smarts (sorry ‘old’ folks – these kids are speedy on the uptake!) ISO? No problem. Shutter speed? A snap!
We tackled portrait photography, still life photography, we even ‘traveled’ to the Distillery district, Chorley Park and the Don Valley Brickworks. Highlight of the week was working with a our 7 year-old professional model Emilie at Creative Image Studios in downtown Toronto.
We got some great shots – take a quick look at this slideshow and see if you don’t agree!
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
For more details on the Camerajazz Camp format please see the upcoming camp page (up soon I promise)
Consider having your child join us next year – they’ll have an absolute blast while learning and practicing the basics of photography – resulting in a lifetime of better photos for them and for you!
Hey there photo lovers. I’m looking for a few mini-models ages 5 – 10 years to participate in print for pay modeling sessions at my in-home studio. The details are as follows but rest assured both child and parent will be having fun during these sessions – your child can even bring their own favourite music and outfits if they would like. If you are interested in receiving some great free professional photos of your child just email or give me a call. 647.888.8161
I'm Nicole Olds and I'm a photo- grapher living in Toronto. I want to teach you how to take great digital photos. It’s easier than you think! Read more...
I'm Nicole Olds and I'm a photo-
