SHOOT IT SHARPER!

The philosophy surrounding sharpness has changed significantly over the history of photography. Modern sensors and lenses are now capable of capturing a previously unobtainable level of detail, which has resulted in a cultural shift amongst photographers and the users of the photographs that we produce. The expectations of quality – a perceived baseline standard level of sharpness – has increased amongst an ever-more-demanding audience. This means that, where a fundamental skill such as focusing is concerned, it can be quite difficult to hide any flaws in the photographer’s technique.

Correct focus is imperative, not only because blurred images fail to convey detail and act as a distraction, but also because the viewer of a photograph is led by where the plane of focus falls. If misplaced this can incorrectly indicate to your audience where they should be looking within your composition. It is also a professional skill to be able to adapt your approach to focusing for different subjects and genres. Subject distance, speed and direction all influence which focusing method should be employed for the most reliable results.

Here we will discuss the benefits and challenges of multiple focusing techniques, describing the philosophy behind each option and how to recognize when – and when not – to put them to work in any shooting situation.

FOCUS ON LANDSCAPES

Landscapes are some of the most frequently photographed subjects and many of the popular focusing methods are closely associated with this genre. The static nature of a scenic landscape does lend photographers the benefit of forward planning and time to reshoot, however the changeable and often sparsely available light, especially during the golden hours, can make precise focus judgement difficult. Furthermore, in a panoramic vista we are attempting to incorporate a large area in the frame, with objects falling at multiple distances from the camera