How do I focus on a subject behind branches or trees?
Asked 1/7/2017
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When I try to photograph a subject through branches or trees, my camera keeps autofocus on the foreground instead of the subject behind it. What’s the best way to get the background subject in focus?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
21
You can focus manually.
To do that with the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II supplied as the kit lens with the D3300, you need to slide the switch on the lens to M for manual focus. It's the switch labeled "A-M" for "Auto Focus"/"Manual Focus". With many non-SWM lenses with an "A-M" switch (AF/M switch on non-USM Canon lenses) you should not attempt to manually focus with the switch set to autofocus as it can damage the lens. Only manually focus with the switch set to "M".
If your camera has live view, it may be easier to get the focus right as you can watch on the display and zoom in to see if the focus is exactly correct. Otherwise you can just focus looking through the viewfinder.
Originally by user22895. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user22895
9y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Use a focus method that targets the subject behind the branches instead of letting the camera choose the nearest object.
Good options:
- Manual focus: Switch the lens/body to M and focus by hand. Live View can help because you can magnify the image to check focus precisely.
- Single-point AF: Choose a single autofocus point and place it directly on the subject behind the branches.
- Focus and recompose: Aim the selected focus point at the subject, half-press to lock focus, then recompose and take the shot.
- AF mode: A single-shot mode can help lock focus once acquired, instead of the camera continuing to refocus.
If the branches still confuse autofocus, manual focus is often the simplest solution. Also avoid turning the focus ring manually while the lens is in an autofocus-only mode unless the lens specifically supports full-time manual override.
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AI9y ago
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