How to take Sharp Photos

[@guillaumebouqueau]

It might help to use a depth of field calculator when practicing. It might help realize that 2m away from the subject at 1.2 on an 85mm gives only a depth of field of only 4cm (i.e. the length of a nose). Might be good sometimes to take a step or two back and maybe think about cropping the photo in post for better/safer results. The other mistake I was making: not enough shutter speed. I thought I could be steady enough to shoot at slow speeds but it doesn't work. The faster the shutter, the more frozen in time and sharp the photo will be.

[@juliatrotti]

These are some great tips and I completely agree about the shutter speed! I'm going to make a video about manual settings in the coming weeks too which will cover more of this :)

[@LifeofHum]

You are right. Shutter speed is most important to me to take sharp photos.

[@ronhipwell5543]

This! Especially true on the newer high MP sensors. I really had to up my game discipline-wise to get sharp photos after moving from my old crop sensor Nikon to the D850. Great camera, but it does not suffer fools lightly! 😀

[@remarkable-media]

so the size of the depth of field can change depending on how close the subject is?

[@guillaumebouqueau]

@@remarkable-media Yes absolutely. A bit tricky to explain in a KZbin comment but it works the same as your eyesight. If you hold something very close to your eye, you can't see as well in the far distance. The more you put distance between you and what you're watching, the more you get things in focus. Hope this helps.

[@ClaudiaGoodwin]

Could you do close ups of your camera when youre talking about all of these settings? Beginner here and its quite overwhelming hearing about the camera settings but not knowing where to find them or adjust them!

[@Fifthimagez]

Claudia Goodwin I’m with you I’m just starting too

[@Cmm474]

Claudia Goodwin just write down what you don’t know and google it specific to your camera. Eventually after googling 5,000 times you’re gonna learn everything on your camera.

[@Dustyphoto915]

KZbin search your camera model. Lots of camera specific tutorials out there. I found that technique very useful.

[@flaviavazquez5265]

Yessssss I was about to say!!

[@karlielarson7430]

You should do a video on Auto Focus Point Selection!

[@ThinkCriticallyNow]

Why?

[@IndieJenny]

@@ThinkCriticallyNowbecause it's important to know which is best.

[@IndieJenny]

For what I've seen so far spot focus is better. She mentions it on the beginning. For portraits spot is better. The name depends on the brand.

[@ThinkCriticallyNow]

Jenny letting the camera decide what it focuses on is useless. If you’re using a camera that doesn’t have eye AF, you need to learn to focus and recompose technique.

[@RudyVisuals]

Recently I've been using manual focus more and more and using the screen to zoom in to an eye for example, check the focus, and then zoom out and take the photo. I don't know how many other people do this but I get great results with it!

[@hemms]

I do the same, but without a screen to assist :( I just adjust focus until I think I can see the eyelashes most clearly and it usually works out.

[@mbutton48]

Julia, I think you have a lot going on here... and I think you are very helpful in so many ways.... I'm an "Old " school photographer and teacher on collage level (back in the late 80's -80' ha) I was the master and became the student (with digital )so you are spot on... and I am learning from you... (I do shoot professionally still today). I would only say one thing with this vid; if you're shooting wide open (up close face ) which is how I normally shoot... you might want to stop down just a fuzzy to 1.4. 1.8 or even 2.8 and focus on that one eye; if you don't he other eye and nose could be out focus and soft too. I know.. I like shooting at 1.2 too...but... not so much if even one part of that face is out of focus . I now shoot with Fujifilm X-T3 and can focus manually... using "Focus Picking". Anyway... you're refreshing, Knowledgeable and cute... I can say that "cute" part openly as I'm a Grandpa of 8. Ha. Thank you for teaching us!

[@WyvernApalis]

Me: take photos at lower ISO and decent shutter speed in good lighting to take sharp and clean images My model friends: want to take photos in places with basically no light Back to landscapes

[@sallygo7984]

Comrade Stalin Stalin we don’t believe in you

[@a.g.4843]

One human, one problem

[@carrerayoutub]

Thank You! I would be highly interested in an explanation of the different servo modes especially on your Mark IV.

[@Gabriela4321]

I love this video! I just wish you’d shown all of your settings and everything you talked about on your actual camera like you did at the beginning or like shown you actually on site implementing what you were talking about. Sorry I’m a visual learner over here 🙌 but still a great video! I learned a lot! ❤️

[@maxpoe2818]

Terrific tips...I usually freeze the focus with a half shutter press, then reframe...but you're right...changing the focus point by selecting AFTER the framing is more accurate...I just had not considered it...well done...

[@iKiet14]

Tips on getting sharp image shooting group of people. 🤞

[@youknowwho9247]

Increase your f-stop. Depending on group size, number of rows and subject distance you'll need to go to f/8 or higher.

[@CalTek]

Tripod as well if possible especially in larger groups. That way you can take several shots and and (if subjects don't move too much) layer them in PS and deal with any closed eyes, etc.

[@VALERYAN581]

f8,f11

[@Teegray1124]

increase f-stop for sure

[@Jakiyyyyy]

I usually go for f4 for two people and f5.6 if there's more than 2

[@joannaschnitzer7308]

Yes, please do a video on the focus modes and what they are used for! That would be so helpful!

[@katielangdale]

Julia, how do you go about focusing when you have 2 or more people in one shot?

[@na2photography]

It feels very nice to learn when a cute looking lady like you demonstrating .

[@NickGranville]

Eye autofocus on the Sony’s is a game changer. A7iii nails this, as I’m sure you know.

[@juliatrotti]

Yeah eye AF is pretty amazing!

[@NickGranville]

@@juliatrotti Happy new year. All the best for 2019.

[@enidrajm]

I recognize many of us have gotten used to ruthless critiques of free information. As an avid practitioner of the art of photography, I recognize the level of expected value should be commensurate with what I paid for something. With that in mind, Julia, thank you for the discussion of focus. It reminded me of the physics of optics and helped me figure out why I have a bunch of out-of-focus wide aperture shots. Your video also gave me some key terminology to find more information in my camera's manual. Finally, thanks for the exercise recommendations. I started my aperture step down reps today. : )

[@Olafleflibustier]

Yes for the focus modes explanation video ^^ Nice video, thanks !

[@ajazahmed3694]

Julia you are brilliant great 👍 information dear

[@michaels8597]

Back button focus most of the time,sometimes press the shutter down slightly..I usually take a test shot to make sure settings havent been changed,and yeah,I use only one shot at a time..Everything in camera,by taking your time,knowing your gear,and jsut breathing nice a slow...Yes,I use a DSLR,full frame,and compose..

[@stephanddd]

It's true that "focus and recompose" can create blur in the course of recomposing. But I find that using a joystick to move your focus point around can be very slow, especially if you're not used to it. As an alternative, on modern cameras, you can quickly tap on the screen in then general vicinity of the subject (eg the flower in your video), and then do a focus and recompose from there. I find that to be much faster than using pointers and joysticks (or even "touch and drag"), while still minimizing blur resulting from the recomposition process.

[@Dr.RAJAT_Mandal]

Much needed tips for me. In recent days, i struggle a lot focusing with shallow depth of field aperture. Thanks for this video.

[@calebfox8822]

So ready for the next photo critique!!!

[@merlinalfonso6374]

Also: autofocus micro adjustment for every lens. This is a must for those using a DSLR.

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Good one, thanks for your tips Julia !

[@ghiawafa3353]

I got lost i might have to re-watch this video again lol.. I wish u show us in the camera how u set it.. thanks for sharing this with us ♥️

[@entrainson7208]

I shoot with a Nikon and I use AF-C Grp. It's four close focusing points. I find that it's better for me to get both eyes sharp and even the whole face.

[@blackmamba3427]

Awesome video and commentary 👌 Very useful tips.

[@chryseass.5143]

Hi Julia, I actually manual focus when I can but having the Sony a7iii does allow me to rely on the Eye Auto focus and face detect when photographing people. Having IBIS on your camera and/or lens is also a tremendous help. Also good technique in holding the camera properly and not drinking loads of caffeine before doing critical hand held shooting are things to consider!

[@BERTZXYS]

Can’t wait for upcoming videos 😍

[@CalTek]

Thanks for the tips. I always shoot the eye on the close ups. Love when they come out tack sharp.

[@Shemene]

i like the shutter button method too ,thanks nice tips .

[@mudit104]

I love you Julia ! You are awesome ! You have helped me to improve my photography, get so much to learn from you.!

[@bagery]

You're right, there's nothing better than practice. But I would not mind at all, seeing your interpretation of the different focus modes. One setting I'm really curious about are Picture Style profiles. Would you consider a video on that for us? Thank-you

[@petran1862]

Thank you so much Julia!!! So helpful!!

[@NickAshleyOfficial]

Hey, Julia! Would you please do a short video on color profiles and camera settings like contrast, color tone, etc., since you photos look so good straight out of the camera? (especially on Canon)

[@adden2242]

Im glad im using a Sony,too.. Sony is very easy to focus , especially with the eye-AF !!

[@VlogPhotography]

Really useful for beginners! Thanks for sharing! Liked and subscribed!

[@junky151]

All manual with focus peaking. Just so easy and it is fun.

[@amylaws]

yes please another video explaining everything!!

[@jorgetirado]

I'd love to see a video of yours about Focus Modes. Loving your channel.

[@itzmayshon7415]

Hi Julia, do you use single point auto focus for couple shots? How do you take sharp photos there is more than one subject? Do you increase the number of auto focus points? Can you make a video on couple or group photography? Thank you!

[@annickjespers4276]

Hello Julia, thank you so much for your lovely videos ! It is such a pleasure to look at ! It is so full of energy. You have a fan from Belgium here. I have a question about putting the focus point. When you are shooting, are you constantly replacing the focus point in relation with how you want that your photo is build up ? I'm referring to your example with the flower is this video, when you set your focus point and reframe or set your focus point at the top.

[@FindingMinwoo]

2:25 So if you don't use live view screen, or spot metering you can't do this.. in this case what would you suggest?

[@sbai4319]

Very helpful - I am really looking forward to the Eye AF Tracking on the EOS R5

[@steves7873]

Julia please consider doing a video explaining focus modes. Your videos are great very informative.

[@edvenuto9614]

I know photography. Good focusing is about shutter speed f stop iso. I like the shutter release focused. I like single point. A good f stop for landscape like 8 to 12. It high.

[@61DJ]

Thanks for sending me this link and answering my question about back focusing on the other video! You are so kind to take the time to give feedback! You are amazing!

[@richardpcrowe]

I fell in love with Sony full-time Eye-AF when it was introduced with the A6400. Now I also use the Sony A7iii... The Sony system really brings portrait photography into the 21st Century! However, I shot for years without Eye-AF and I used most of the techniques that you so succinctly described in your video. My one big PITA was that the Canon 6D Mark-2 had its focus points crammed into the center of the image...

[@SamS-jn6fx]

It’s absolutely criminal you don’t have more subscribers - your stuff is quality! Love watching your videos. Keep doing what you’re doing, love from UK

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

thank you for the effort and the sharing. with a canon 5dmk1 and canon sl2, the best i can manage is focus and re-compose. i will attempt to do more practicing and see if my results get better. i am an appreciative subscriber. thumbs up.

[@christopherjohnson5748]

The practice tips were most helpful. For some reason I've been of the mindset that if I have all the technical aspects "right" then all my images should be pinpoint sharp. The truth is, however, that as a relative beginner I just need practice. Amazing how something so obvious is also so easy to overlook. Thanks for the reminder. Other practical practice tips would be great, too.

[@bethdams1]

Help needed: when you shoot with multiple models where do you focus, on 1 persons eye?? I’ve got a shoot coming up in April with 2 people and it’s my first proper multiple person shoot outside. I’ll be using a 50mm 1.8 lens. Any tips are welcome please, thank you! Xx

[@meryemergul7924]

Hi Julia, I totally love your video's and learned so much already. I was wondering if you would like to make a video about your settings on your sony a7III. I have a sony a7 and struggle a lot with setting my camera up, so it would be most easy to shoot with. I would find it really helpfull.

[@priscillap7135]

Love your videos...your accent is the cutest. People say they love my Texas accent but I want your accent. I’d like to see videos on using off camera speed light outdoors. How to set your speed light. Or just any lighting videos.

[@SPECTRA890]

I would love to see a video explaining the focus mood

[@colouredbleach4430]

Joshua N lmao

[@Slay220]

Hi Julia-thanks for another great video. Would love a more in depth video on all the focus modes. I've always used focus and recompose as I am still a beginner and it is so intuitive. However, I feel like I should probably practice using my focus points. Thanks again for the info.

[@carloscarlitos4010]

Okay this is you at your best!!!!! This is what got me to this channel in the first place thank you!

[@kingfree4382]

It'll be very useful if you made that types of focus video. Got confunsed when you talked about server modes and one shot mode. Thanks for your teachings.

[@joannemccormack7549]

Such good tips for people who are just starting out and what to get off the P mode.

[@apassionfortangling3671]

Single point AF and f4 you will get every shot sharp enough and still get the blurry background no matter what camera you shoot with!

[@darrylstubbs5221]

Great video again julia,i used to do the focus and recompose like at the beggining of the video.My newer camera( 5d mk4) has 61 focus points so there really is no need to do that anymore.

[@anlsahal4147]

I use AF-C and back button focusing. I almost always miss the focus at f1.8 or f2.8 even f4 in portraits. After watching this video of yours I realized two things. Maybe I take too much time to press the shutter after focusing (by pressing the button on the back) to take the image therefore my camera always trying to focus (because it is on AF-C) so I miss the focus. I am planning to use AF-S and half press the shutter to focus next time. Let's see if it would work.

[@drephiillip]

hey @julia do you have luts for your video stuff? i love the colors in this video!

[@rodneysippel751]

Thank you Julia ,, love your channel and great to see you back. Excellent content and a reminder for how to / settings for achieving better photo sharpness. Cheers !!

[@emilyyoung232]

Please yes on the video about focus modes !!

[@seabreezesg11]

I would love a video about the focus modes.

[@teresacesario6247]

What a awesome video!

[@eduardcojocaru4667]

Not necessarily focus related but I think you should add the shutter button should be pressed really gentle - I personally have a problem with this :D

[@stephanddd]

With single point AF, the "focus and recompose" technique prevents you from using Servo mode. So if you're interested in using Servo for movement, and you're attached to "focus and recompose", then the only way to get both is to switch to "back button focus". This is all assuming you're using single point AF. Interesting, right? I wish someone had told me earlier.

[@maboleth]

I know I'm 2y late, but still... For portraits I mostly use Servo and back button AF, for the reasons you described. It's easy to recompose even with Servo. In my experience, One Shot works better if you press it several times before taking a crucial shallow DOF picture. It's almost like camera is analyzing the focus 2-3 times to get it more precise... So I thought, why not using Servo then, since it's constantly monitoring the focus point? I get more tack-sharp images that way anyway. Plus, it corrects slight movements of you or your subject.

[@janedoesvideo4509]

Love your style and your videos are super helpful x

[@carlyrowland1640]

Yes please do a video on the focus modes. It's something I struggle to understand 🙏

[@nicolemontecalvo-robinson7309]

Love your work and videos, Julia! Would love to see another video on focus modes and to see a live shoot !

[@KeanuLee]

Yeah you should do the video, every bit of info is great...Loved the video.

[@jeaninevalencia4548]

Yes make one please! Do you have a video on how to set up the AF setting? if not, can you make one 💘💘😊

[@alvin.kaunda]

Ive been stuck to this channel for a month now...Im tryna watch all the videos

[@gudeliamorilla1354]

Definitely do a video on focust points!

[@samgrieg]

Focus and recompose always works for me without any perceptible loss of sharpness, don't understand the issue with distance changing. If the subject is still and the photographer is as well, why would the distance change? Just keep the shutter half pressed while recomposing so you don't accidentally refocus your center point

[@LProds]

plane of focus shifts as you tilt the camera, that's just basic physics. More noticeable on short lenses and wider apertures but always present.

[@jessestarks3128]

Single point auto-focus and single shot mode. When I shoot people they'll hear me say I'm adjusting the focus point as I move along. It a little slower than some of the other modes, but I get the best results this way.

[@freekickfanatic]

a tutorial of focus modes explained on the camera itself would be helpful, thanks Julia!

[@Lena-sv2du]

I‘d love a video on focus modes since getting better at focusing during a shoot with a high aperture is actually my no1 photography goal for 2019 and I‘m really confused with at the modes on my camera

[@storiesofblue]

Please do a in depth video on focus. I am so interested

[@cedarfallsphotography8172]

Hoping you can do video on additional incamera settings for Canon. I know you did one on Sony recently but would love the see the Canon version!

[@IAMCHIDERA]

What settings should I have for outdoor shoots cuz my pictures are always extremely blown out. I have a canon t7i

[@brookemurray]

Informative video! It would be helpful if you spoke in terms of Nikon settings as well since im not a canon user. I tried back button focus but honestly wasn’t sure if i was using it correctly. I prefer using the shutter button to lock focus but find sometimes i get a little button crazy and catch myself half pressing a lot before taking a photo. Bad habit i suppose. Would love to see more videos like this :)

[@StarfireRebirthCM]

She's an angel.

[@Bowingkidlandon]

I would love to see more on how to use the focus modes

[@morganstrickland7308]

I would love to learn more about focus modes!

[@krist]

Great tips thank you!

[@juliatrotti]

Thank you!

[@Nasrallah-u2k]

Which focus point is good for couple,portrait photography?And af area selection mode?

[@vienpajophotography7933]

Julia does it again! Yey! Yey! Thanks sooo much! I currently use (with Nikon) - AF-S Single Focus Back Button and starting to practice on f/1.8. Your videos help! A lot! It's great to know the why behind each setting and how it effects the outcome of the image. :D

[@bladimirjimenez7997]

Hi Miss. Is it possible to make a video on back focus botton? That would be nice. Thanks. I enjoy your tips thanks so much. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@jeeper01ca]

If you are shooting a group of people what focus point you use? Who do you focus on in the group? What F stop you prefer?

[@ktwo08]

Just what I needed. I’m still trying to figure out my settings to nail my focus. Are you going to create a vlog channel? I miss your vlogs!

[@alizee1388]

Would love to see a video on all the focus modes!! :)

[@coopersga]

The first video of the year is finally Here! I love the new background! Thanks for the tips Julia

[@elvitapurina]

I would like to see a video about each of the focus modes on dslr cameras as I'm planning to get one. I believe 2019 is the year I finally start learning about photography. :)) Thank you for the video, Julia!

[@vimalneha]

Yes please do a focus mode, thanks!

[@duschbrauser]

Nice video. What shutter speed do you prefer for shooting portraits?

[@beppelonglegs]

I bought a 5D Mark 2 this year. Any chance you wanna make a tips about how to shoot well with his camera?

[@sjcproductionsandmedia]

I've practiced with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and the focus is never consistent. If you were doing portrait photography out on a lake with all natural light what would you set your camera to? Does back button focus override all focus settings? I'm so confused. Help!

[@nejatabedla1239]

Your vlog color is owsem. please share this video color