Essential Nikon camera settings: 1. Focus lock

Even the most sophisticated auto focus systems need you to assume control in order to focus on off-center subjects

What is it in a nutshell?

Placing your subject off-Center is one of the best ways to improve the writing of your snapshots, but you need to make certain that your Nikon focuses on this region rather than what's in the center of the chassis, otherwise you could end up with your subject out of focus and your background pin-sharp (a problem common to compact camera users). With static subjects, the most comfortable means to manage this is to employ a technique known as focus lock.

Why is it so important?

Focus lock is the perfect technique to apply when you want to vary the composition by placing the subject in different arenas of the human body.

Once you have locked the focus, you can lay the subject anywhere in the human body, and as long as you remain the same length away, it will be sharp.

This is useful for cameras which deliver a circumscribed number of AF points, as they merely permit you to focus on a circumscribed number of areas inside your view. Using the focus lock, you can identify the subject in areas of the human body where there aren't any suitable AF points.

SEE MORE 10 Camera Settings You Need to Learn to Master Your Nikon

How do you use it?

To use focus lock, you necessitate to adjust your camera to single shot autofocus mode (AF-S). Then, set up the scene so your subject is in the meat and half-press the shutter release until the camera focuses.

You can then recompose your picture so that the subject is anywhere in the human body, but you must hold your finger half-squeezed on the shutter release, and make certain that you don't alter the distance between you and the field of study. And so, at one time you're happy with the constitution, you can push the shutter fully to take your snapshot.

What you can ignore: Auto AF point selection

Like many automatic functions, the automatic AF point selection can act perfectly well, but it doesn't always pick the AF point that corresponds with the thing that you want to concentrate on.

You'll become more honest and consistent results by choosing the AF point manually (see Taking it further), or simply leaving it go down to the central AF point and using the focus lock technique described above.

Taking it further: Manual AF point selection

While focus lock is a bare and efficient method of focusing on off-center subjects, it's not always the most convenient choice. If your field is consistently moving to be in the same off-center position for a series of pictures, you should manually select an AF point that agrees to that location within the form.

This is also the best choice if your topic is likely to move closer or farther away from your camera in the time it engages you to focus and recompose.

Source Link: http://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/10-camera-settings-you-need-to-learn-to-master-your-nikon-and-10-you-can-manage-without-1320864

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