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Avoid these pitfalls
4: Don't stand so close to me
Pitfall explanation
There's nothing like crawling up right up to a baby's face to get one of those classic giant-head shots. And this one has no red-eye, despite those bright baby blues. However, with most photos of people and animals, unless you're trying to be artsy or experimental, we expect the faces to be in focus. Here, the face is less in focus than the baby's butt. That's probably because the photographer got a little too close, closer than the camera was able to focus.
There's nothing like crawling up right up to a baby's face to get one of those classic giant-head shots. And this one has no red-eye, despite those bright baby blues. However, with most photos of people and animals, unless you're trying to be artsy or experimental, we expect the faces to be in focus. Here, the face is less in focus than the baby's butt. That's probably because the photographer got a little too close, closer than the camera was able to focus.
Can this photo be saved?
No. As with problem 1, objects that are out of focus remain out of focus.
No. As with problem 1, objects that are out of focus remain out of focus.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Take a step back, if possible. Or crawl backward, in this case.
Tip 2: Switch to macro mode. Macro mode is designed to focus this closely--it's not just for shooting bugs and flowers.
Tip 3: Turn off the automatic focus-point selection. If you have a relatively new camera, it may have technology in it that automatically decides where the focus should be; for example, Canon calls its version AiAF, Sony's is Multipoint AF, and so on. While these technologies seem to produce better overall sharpness in photos, they occasionally fail to choose the right subject, especially if the subject is off center or smaller than other objects. I find the old prefocus-and-reframe technique--lock focus on the face, then reframe the scene--works as well or better in situations such as this one.
Tip 1: Take a step back, if possible. Or crawl backward, in this case.
Tip 2: Switch to macro mode. Macro mode is designed to focus this closely--it's not just for shooting bugs and flowers.
Tip 3: Turn off the automatic focus-point selection. If you have a relatively new camera, it may have technology in it that automatically decides where the focus should be; for example, Canon calls its version AiAF, Sony's is Multipoint AF, and so on. While these technologies seem to produce better overall sharpness in photos, they occasionally fail to choose the right subject, especially if the subject is off center or smaller than other objects. I find the old prefocus-and-reframe technique--lock focus on the face, then reframe the scene--works as well or better in situations such as this one.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: The ability to focus within inches of the subject or special scene modes.
Suggested models:
What it takes: The ability to focus within inches of the subject or special scene modes.
Suggested models:
Additional resources
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
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