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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Another challenge

Look at me knocking out all these goals. Today's victory was shooting in public. Given it was only the 'Baby Signs' class we just started taking, but I busted out my camera and got a couple of decent shots, and wasn't embarrassed one bit as the other moms watched me. Want to know a secret? I think they actually thought I knew what I was doing! :) How funny.


Here is today's picture and a couple of questions- How many auto focus points does your camera have? Mine has 7 and I feel like it surely isn't enough. Also, do you usually use the AUTO-autofocus or do you manually choose your focus point? (Or do you focus manually?) I ask because I like to choose, but it's one more setting I'm trying to mess with. . . .Thanks for your input ladies!

10 comments:

Andrea said...

Good job pulling that camera out! I was VERY nervous the first time I pulled my camera out at my youngest s play group.

My camera has has 11 and I sometimes feel it isn't enough. I ALWAYS manually choose my focus point. I find the auto function doesn't usually put it where I want it. Its not a mind reader and is not so creative ;)

I usually have my camera in auto focus because my eyes are not good in the focus department but when I am doing any type of close up work I manually focus.

I hope that helps.

Susan said...

I know how you feel about pulling the camera out in public...good job! My camera has 9 focus points, but I always manually choose my focus point as well. Otherwise the camera focuses on the silliest things.

Melissa said...

Yay for pulling the camera out in public! :) Okay I don't know the technical terms but I will explain it the best I can for ya on my focusing. I have 9 focal points and it's enough. I've heard from Nikon users who have 52 or some crazy amount that it can be too many! I use my center focal point and then toggle to my other ones if I need a different point. When you have 52, imagine toggling between each focal point to get the one you want in time to snap the picture of your child running away. Haha I also should say that I never let my camera choose my focus points when I guess is when you have all your points on. I used to miss so many shots because my camera would focus on something behind my subject or off to the left or their shirt! Drove me nuts! I highly recommend using that center point and then toggling if need be. Also if you use that center point, place that focus point on the inside corner of the closet eye, you will be amazed at how crisp and in focus the eyes will turn out. That was a huge thing I learned that changed my pictures forever!! Once you learn to use your focal points instead of letting your camera do your focusing, then move on to BBF (back button focusing) and again another amazing thing that has helped my pictures tremendously! Hope this helps. If you have more questions or don't understand what the heck I'm saying, let me know. lol

Kara said...

Love it! I know, sometimes whipping that contraption out in front of all causes some unwanted attention. Great capture.

Sarah P. said...

Great job shooting in public!

Carrie said...

Wow. I learn something new that I'm NOT doing everyday :) I've never paid attention and only ever auto-auto focused. Geez.

Carrie said...

I'm so glad you asked. I've been manually focusing and going crazy with how many shots I'm getting out of focus! And most of the time I'm missing a lot of great moments because I can't get focused. Way to go with the public shots!

kitten said...

That's a great photo. I am currently using AF because I ams till learning to take photos in MF. I just got my very first dslr 3 weeks ago so I am totally a newbie!

I also get nervous when I pull out my camera in public but I if I am with the mommies I usually do playgroups with, I am more comfortable because I know that they don't mind. In fact, once a month, they love how they get copies of the photos of all our play dates.

Trisha said...

Well done, you. Don't feel embarrased to take your camera out. Just annouce you are doing a 365 & all of your blogging friends will surely want to see your amazing photography skills. Or better yet, walk around w your camera around your neck & see how many other moms do the same. You will end up being friends, I promise. :)
As for choosing your focal point, it's the only way to go. At first it can seem challenging, especially when you are fiddling w everything else, but you'll be so glad you did. Courtney wrote a post abt it here: http://www.clickitupanotch.com/2010/09/changing-your-focal-point/
Hope that helps!

Dianne - Bunny Trails said...

Good for you! Great shot, too. You'll get used to whipping that camera out in public. And I think people do think you know what you're doing.

I once took pictures of SPAM at the grocery store. That time, I think people thought I was crazy.