50 Things Photographers Need to Know About Focus

50 Things Photographers Need to Know About Focus

by John Greengo
Released June 2019
Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
ISBN: 9781681985022

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Book description

If you’re a passionate photographer eager to learn the best ways to achieve tack-sharp focus in your images, these 50 focus-based principles are exactly what you need to take your work to the next level.

While focusing your camera seems like it should be a no-brainer—there’s autofocus, after all!—it’s often not a simple task. Depending on the shooting situation, your camera, and the countless scenarios that can “throw off” the focus, the task of achieving sharp images with great focus can be deceptively challenging.

If you’re a passionate photographer eager to learn the best ways to achieve tack-sharp focus in your images, these 50 focus-based principles are exactly what you need to take your work to the next level. With photographer and author John Greengo as your guide, you’ll quickly learn nearly four dozen techniques for achieving focus in every shooting situation. You’ll learn:

    • How to optimize autofocus no matter what kind of camera you have (DSLR or mirrorless)
    • How to master manual focus
    • Which focus modes and focus areas work best for different situations
    • How to use your camera’s autofocus aids, such as magnification and focus peaking
    • Techniques to keep your camera stable, either handheld or on a tripod
    • How shutter speed and aperture affect sharpness

Written in the author’s friendly and approachable style, and illustrated with examples that clearly show how each technique can help you capture great photos, 50 Things Photographers Need to Know About Focus is designed to be an effective, fast, and fun way to learn how to achieve great focus in your images—no matter what situation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Chapter 1: Focus Basics
    Chapter 2: Autofocus
    Chapter 3: Mirrorless Autofocus
    Chapter 4: DSLR Autofocus
    Chapter 5: Customized Autofocus Controls
    Chapter 6: Autofocus Aids
    Chapter 7: Autofocus and Lenses
    Chapter 8: Manual Focus and Lenses
    Chapter 9: Exposure Control for Focus
    Chapter 10: Advanced Focusing Techniques
    Chapter 11: Other Focus Topics

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Contents
  6. Introduction
  7. Chapter 1 The Basics of Focus
    1. 1. Why Focus Is So Important
    2. 2. Focus, Resolution, and Sharpness
    3. 3. Basics of Modern Autofocus
    4. 4. Mirrorless Versus DSLR
  8. Chapter 2 Primary AF Controls
    1. 5. Focus Area
    2. 6. Focus Mode
    3. 7. Subject, Face, and Eye Tracking
    4. 8. Choose the Right Area and the Right Mode
  9. Chapter 3 Mirrorless Autofocus
    1. 9. Contrast Detection
    2. 10. Hybrid Systems
    3. 11. Mirrorless Focus Area
  10. Chapter 4 DSLR Autofocus
    1. 12. Phase Detection
    2. 13. AF Performance Parameters
    3. 14. AF Lenses with MF Override
    4. 15. Live View Focusing
    5. 16. Mirror Lock-Up
    6. 17. Autofocus Calibration
  11. Chapter 5 Customizing the AF System
    1. 18. Focus Lock for a Better Composition
    2. 19. Focus Hold / AF Lock
    3. 20. Back Button Focus
    4. 21. AF-Assist Light
    5. 22. Autofocus Tracking Algorithms
    6. 23. Orientation Linked AF Area
    7. 24. Focus and Release Priority
  12. Chapter 6 Autofocus and Lenses
    1. 25. Mirrorless Versus DSLR Lenses
    2. 26. How Important Is Lens Sharpness?
    3. 27. MTF Charts
    4. 28. Primes Versus Zooms
    5. 29. Diffraction
    6. 30. Buttons and Switches
  13. Chapter 7 Manual Focus Techniques
    1. 31. Modern Focus Aids
    2. 32. Magnification
    3. 33. Focus Peaking
    4. 34. Lenses for Manual Focus
    5. 35. Scale Focusing
    6. 36. Zone Focusing
    7. 37. Hyperfocal Focusing
    8. 38. DSLR Viewfinder Factors
    9. 39. Rangefinder Focusing
  14. Chapter 8 Exposure Control for Focus
    1. 40. Shutter Speeds for Sharpness
    2. 41. Shutter Speeds for Handholding
    3. 42. Apertures and Depth of Field
    4. 43. ISO and Sharpness
  15. Chapter 9 Advanced Focusing Techniques
    1. 44. Focus Bracketing
    2. 45. Tilt Shift Lenses
    3. 46. Post-Production Sharpening
  16. Chapter 10 Other Focus Topics
    1. 47. Image Stabilization
    2. 48. Tripods
    3. 49. Determining Focus Problems
    4. 50. Bokeh
  17. Gallery

Product information

  • Title: 50 Things Photographers Need to Know About Focus
  • Author(s): John Greengo
  • Release date: June 2019
  • Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
  • ISBN: 9781681985022