Photography Article Deciding Where To Focus|Photography Artist Statement

This week the Boost Your Photography 52 Week Challenge is focusing in on Focus. Previous articles have covered the topics of Why Won't My Lens Focus? and Focusing on Focus: setting manual focus point selection and focus modes. This article will discuss the deeper issue of deciding where to focus when shooting.

Where to Focus: humans, pets, and sure, statues

The old saying, "The eyes are the window to the soul," is never more true than in photography. If you are taking a photograph of a person, then the question of focus is an easy one: you want the eyes in focus. (Like any so-called "rule," there are, of course, exceptions.) We tend to look immediately at the eyes in a photograph, and out-of-focus or blurred eyes are one of the quickest ways for your brain to tell you that something is not quite 'right' with your photograph.

Look speedy at the 2 photographs underneath of the sandhill crane. Do you have got a favorite? (You can click at the photograph to make bigger.)

Did you find that you had been more interested in the image on the proper? Take a look underneath at the near-up view of the 2 photos and specially the eyes. You will see that the attention inside the left-hand photograph is out-of-attention (due to the slight motion of the hen's head), even as the attention inside the right-hand photo is sharp.

Now, you'll be questioning, "What if there's multiple character or animal within the photo?" The answer then is that you need to make certain that the attention nearest to the digicam is the one in recognition. Our brains are usually tons greater forgiving of blur if it's miles within the background of the photograph, in preference to inside the foreground. We often locate background blur thrilling and appealing, however foreground blur appears distracting or maybe irritating. (Again, that is a large generalization. Rules are intended to be damaged.)

With this photograph of two cranes, the tack-sharp focus on the closer eye is what makes this photo work. Had I focused rather at the farther lower back eye, having the out-of-awareness fowl within the foreground could were a miles extra awkward composition.

Focusing on the closer/nearest eye works for any kind of challenge with eyes. Think beyond humans and pets to even inanimate objects like statues or stuffed animals.

Admit it, the out-of-awareness eyes computer virus you inside the photograph.

(Focus is at the basket, behind.)

Where Do You Focus?

Agree? Disagree? How do you decide where to focus when shooting? Share your thoughts in the comments below.