The BEST Focusing Technique (FOR SERIOUS SHARPNESS!!)

[@GodsIn2Love]

The beauty of the bright sunlight is all the color that jumps into the lens from the wooded area.

[@markwatson1861]

Been a BBF convert for a number of years (and could never go back!) and I use a similar technique to yours for landscapes. For extra extra sharpness, I also use a shutter release delay and turn off any lens stabilization so there is no chance of the camera wobbling when I finally hit the shutter release. Great videos - keep taking great shots !

[@andyprime57]

Ive used this method and full manual at X10 mag since shooting landscapes and more recently, everything I shoot. Other good tips to help ensure sharp focus include turning off image stabilisation when using a tripod, a shutter release timer (I use 10sec when using a 70-200 and 2sec for say a w/a zoom) and of course mirror lockup (if using a mirrored camera) to prevent mirror slam as that can cause shake and therefore unsharp images. However, you can ignore the last if using live view as your mirror is already locked up! Another great vid Henry, your enthusiasm for wet days shining through yet again!

[@PaulLauter]

Enjoyed your blog. It looks a beautiful woodland. I also use a D7200 with live view, back button focus and then zoom in to fine tune. One little trick I use is I have customized my ok button to zoom in to my preferred level of zoom for focus checking. It just saves having to press the magnify button multiple times. So I back button focus, hit ok to zoom in, fine tune the focus, and then hit ok again to get normal live view back

[@margueritelahaye7457]

Finally, a clear explanation, and a demonstration on a camera that looks like mine. Thank you!

[@gerrywidnell7304]

Hello Henry. I've just found your channel and this is the first video I've watched of yours. You explained back button focusing brilliantly. It's the first time I've actually understood back button focus. I'll be watching more of your videos. Thank you, stay safe and keep uploading.

[@hillybobs56]

I used to hyperfocal focus my old prime lenses on my EOS 3 back in my slide film days and set the aperture to f11. Everything in the frame was spot on. Most of my landscapes were taken on a 35mm f2 USM. I also used a 50 f1.4 and a 20-35 f3.5-5.6.

[@ShaunBennettuk]

Henry - I've only recently come across your content but loving the down to earth approach you have to doing informational and educational content. As for BBF, well this video has just brought my BBF exploits into a whole new realm. Will be putting this technique into my workflow without hesitation

[@oneccie]

You're lucky. You have seasons. We in Australia only have summer and cold summer.

[@farook_]

Same in U.A.E

[@furnibird]

Move states mate. We get all 4 seasons in NSW

[@Stop-All-War]

Man's Videos are underrated 👍🏻

[@afti03]

OH nice, it's the same thing i do when i shoot products or real estate. It's a MUST DO! i started doing this when my autofocusing sistem started to break. when you zoom in in live view, you actually zoom into the senzor, so the clarity and quality of what you'll see will be spectacular, you really have to try it.

[@highestsprings]

Great video and nice shots. Good to see a video on getting the best out of gear and producing good stuff with the technology to hand. Its refreshing to see and informative, not caught up in the tech race. Thanks.

[@lorenvguitar614]

Great information, thanks for this excellent video.

[@edwinbarreto]

Very nice technique; will definitely try it. Thank you.

[@mustangshelby2740]

very good idea and fast and easy . Thanks for sharing .

[@karengoody8142]

I have often thought about back button focus but now I have seen your video will give it a go Thank you for explaining it so well

[@StuMcKenzie]

It's a great tip for focusing, one that many of us do but always happy to be reminded of how good it is. Thanks for sharing.

[@DB-sd3cw]

Be quiet fool

[@arielalejandrogarma3672]

i loved those colors amazing photos congratulations

[@davidellinsworth22]

This is the exact way I focus after becoming a BBF convert earlier this year. Works a treat. It's also very nice to use the half press to activate the exposure meter without the camera trying to refocus

[@davidpringuer3553]

@Jolanda Wenning pervert

[@MrDAVIET]

Do you use the same focus technique with wildlife?

[@thomashathaway3534]

I got it! The light just came on. Now I understand the zoom in/back button focus technique. Your explanation was perfect. Thanks Henry. 📸👍

[@briangriffin8903]

Nice little tip,thanks...enjoyed your video and your enthusiasm of getting the shots you want. Keep it up...👍👍..

[@amitlale]

Thanks for the great practical tips! Very useful.

[@ralphwatson7036]

I look forward to the day you graduate to mirrorless. So many fun new features, but one of my favorites is focus peaking. It's especially helpful with my older eyes. Z6 rocks!

[@whunt29708]

If you're filming all that by yourself, great job. I know it must take time to set up plus you're carrying around that extra gear. Great video!

[@christophercollins4653]

Hi Henry, im new to photography and your videos really help me. this technique i have started to use and its fantastic for me. Thanks and keep up the great videos.

[@globally123]

Great video and great inspiration cheers mate,keep em coming

[@bobby07241]

great video i enjoy and learn alot thanks

[@deborahreeder7374]

I've just discovered your channel, and I like your style. I'll be looking for more of your videos!

[@MarkAGroh]

Nice information. Great videos and images.

[@touchedbynature5445]

Very good, surprised the first shot was f4, Beautiful. Very helpful and informative. Many thanks for sharing.

[@AndyWoodger]

@henryturner Goodness me I'm learning loads! Can't believe how easy it is to get that sharp focus every time.

[@robertdavis1255]

Thanks Henry.... Enjoyed your video... I will try your technique....

[@stthomasweddingphotographycom]

This is actually a technique that videographers have been using for years. Many of the pro lenses have a Snap zoom btn that allows ou to zoom in and check your focus. Makes sense to use it in still photos as well. Nice vid! Keep it rocking bro!!

[@haroldmassey5966]

Thanks for the focusing tips. Be safe out there

[@RCBOSS1969]

Thank you!

[@TaxiRED]

Another great tip, i now use the live view and magnify method too.. i also use the back button focus, so now i'll combine them.. cheers fella

[@andrewreardon9400]

Hi Henry. Lovely photos. Nice tip there I shell be going to my local woodland and defiantly be having a go with the focus technique over the weekend. Thanks.

[@ROUGHROADPH]

Excellent presentation buddy.

[@marcelzwart3527]

Again a nice video Henry. I might try out the back button focus. It looks quite handy to use. Thanks for the tip.

[@paulk329]

Absolutely brilliant vlog Henry very useful advice, fantastic images..!!

[@selzzaW]

Really enjoyed the music choice in this video.

[@carlreid4161]

Great vlog Henry some invaluable tips re focussing I do pretty much the same thing as my eyes are stuffed so I magnify in press my BBF and lastly I use focus peaking highlights.

[@johnsparkes8963]

Enjoyable Henry good tips nice images thanks for sharing and take care.

[@craiglivingforward]

Henry, just came across your videos, I love your enthusiasm and also how you take your time to get a composition, to really look at what you're shooting. I think this is so important, so many people think you can just click away and get a good photo. I'm just returning to photography in the last couple of years and now trying out some YT vids as well. I will definitely be learning from you.

[@bryanspark]

Nice video with good tips Henry. It does work through viewfinder as well, I’ve got the okay button set to 100%view then bbf and if okay press shutter. Thanks again.

[@scotthailey1603]

I have the d7200 great camera I’ve been watching your videos and getting lots of great tips so many thanks 🙏

[@davidforeman8939]

Good tip Henry, will definitely try that method. Thanks.

[@kevincaluag5355]

Very helpful. I find your landscapes very informative cause we have quite similar gear system. Mine is d3500 w/ kit lens, 10-20mm and 70-300 lens. Thanks keep it up.

[@catherder6674]

Wow! Very well explained. 100% understood every sentence. Thank you.

[@janfitch2760]

My calendar arrived in Italy on Tuesday, beautiful,stunning shots. Thank you!

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

That’s brilliant, thanks so much!!

[@peterwideman1425]

Henry, another great video from a down to earth photographer who tells it like it is. I'm off out on Monday to Thor's Cave so will be sure to give this a go. Thanks.

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks Peter.

[@timelord2222]

I use the same technique, but be careful - on high magnifications the image may look blurry on screen, depending on how sharp your lens is. So you might think the image is not in focus, while in fact your lens has reached its maximum detail resolving power.

[@mchocolate2301]

Thanks for the tip! 👍🏾

[@RussWeymouthPhotography]

Useful tip, I have experienced this myself getting frustrated why I could not see sharp focus 👍

[@timelord2222]

@@RussWeymouthPhotography Yes, especially if you (like me) only have entry-level lenses. The preview might be 100% sharp only on high-end gear (pro lenses / high megapixel cameras). But don't worry, 99% of people don't view photos at 1:1 magnification

[@alvinmorris5404]

@@timelord2222 yes unless you're going to have a photo printed in enormous dimensions or you're a pixel peeper it's not going to be a big deal. We're trying to take a photo of what we see with 2 eyes while using a 1 eye camera, add the fact that our eyes don't focus the entire image at the same sharpness it's like we're trying to reach into the magician's hat hoping to pull out a perfect image!🙂

[@ladoma]

Hello, you can assign the OK button to the zoom function. Press the OK button to toggle zoom on and off. Choose the initial zoom setting from Low magnification (50%), 1 : 1 (100%), and High magnification (200%).The zoom display will center on the active focus point. It's easier and faster for me.

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

Thanks a lot for that Ralf 👍🏼

[@mchocolate2301]

Cool! Thanks for the tip! 👍🏾

[@CoastGuy09]

If your camera supports focus peaking, that is another way to confirm sharpness across your image. I first use auto focus and magnify just as you do. Then I switch to manual mode on the lens and focus peaking is set to automatically kick in. Everything that is in focus is in red. Yellow & white are also possible color options but red usually works best for landscape.

[@rv3child]

I never use live view so I’m eager to try this. Great video, thanks Henry

[@scotty4418]

Definitely a good technique, use the same approach myself then you can't blame the camera if its not in focus. Like the F4 image Henry as with the main point of focus being at the forefront of the image, the natural fall off into a softer backdrop worked well

[@manscave]

That woodland is an ideal place to try focus stacking. THAT is the by far the best way to achieve focus throughout the length of shot. Combined with bracketing and an edited HDR and you're on to a winner.

[@SteveP_2426]

Yes but only if there is no wind moving the tree boughs/leaves.

[@manscave]

@@SteveP_2426 Not really. For a start, if its blowing a gale and everything is moving, your picture should reflect the movement. Focus stacking still captures every still object in focus yet will blur the moving leaves etc. makes for very interesting pictures.

[@stevethompson8154]

I use live view to focus and back button as well. I find it slightly more accurate using single point AF-S instead of continuous. This is for stationary subjects. When I need continuous AF for action I use U1 and U2. It has been working out pretty good

[@jimrinaldi8357]

I find the U1 and U2 to be very helpful as well, since I often find myself in similar situations.

[@RaysAstrophotography]

Great work! Never thought about it this way. Thanks, Henry!

[@yonder-john]

I'm just beginning to discover your videos and I absolutely love them, such a calm yet focused experience.

[@wheelsoncrisis]

this is a new focussing technique i learned, i watch all this videos using expensive cameras in youtube, you are a first pro photographer who i saw uses a nikon d7200. btw i am from india and i love your shots. they are amazing. you are really pro.

[@stephenburden25]

Really great advice Henry, great vlog as always 👍👍

[@ianmcdonald9885]

Thank you great video again. I tried your method yesterday the images looked ok on the back of the camera but haven’t loaded them in to lightroom as yet so hopefully will all be focused as I wanted them. Very good but simple method, thanks for sharing it. Oh and yes I do like the bocke effect in the first image 👍

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

Excellent video. I’ve never warmed to the BBF technique, I’ll need to try again. Take care and be safe!

[@FarawayPictures]

Thanks Henry. I wondered what you were doing with the focus.

[@Biscuit761YT]

Henry, have you seen that you can set the button in the middle of the multi selector to zoom in to 100% when in live view, saves lots of button pressing.

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

Thanks for that Bill :)

[@Paul-vy1ev]

Brilliant and informative video. I like the first image you took the best. Look forward to your creative talents now we have Gone into another lockdown. Thanks Henry.

[@aviatorman8]

Very helpful! I’m touched by your beautiful image! The f/4 added a nice effect at the back tree! Cheers from Washington State, the Pacific Northstate!

[@northdevonpictures826]

Like it mate and thanks for a great video - subscribed.

[@lukechristian1436]

Hi Mr turner how are you I have a question when you keep your camera screen on would it drain the batteries mine does I'm using a Fuji film s1000fd camera is there any solution to stop my batteries from running out quickly I saw on KZbin they said do not use the LCD screen on your camera while taking pictures use the view finder is it true Mr turner.

[@paultaylor7472]

Nice idea For focusing Henry. Now trying to find the camera manual to see how to set it!

[@peterevans3247]

Another excellent vid and techniques Mate. Loving your no nonsense, no BS attitude !!! Hmm back button focus must get that sorted.

[@chrissstuff5009]

Recently took up Photography, Find your videos the most helpful :)

[@rajshekhar9294]

I came across this video today and the knowledge I got made me a subscriber.

[@PaulW98Z]

One thing to be careful when focusing on something not in the center of the frame is that pretty much all cameras sensors are most accurate when focusing in the center. The further to the badges, the less accurate it is. I always put what I want in focus in the center to focus on it then recompose if I intend to offset that object in the frame. I tend to hyper focus most of the time. Usually on whatever is the lowest point in the frame the recompose. As long as I’m shooting f8 and up, pretty much everything in the frame will be in focus.

[@nevvanclarke9225]

It’s why I love my D850 ..it focuses well in corners

[@Rudy60426]

great video and thanks for the tips Henry

[@raymondallingham8080]

Hi Henry just new to door photography and just found your videos keep up the great work cheers Raymond in Glasgow Scotland

[@Reason-fg4ik]

First, thanks for the great video! I've been trying to use that technique lately, with some success. Thanks for the process model!

[@triplewinlin5576]

Great tip on focusing! By the way, the log under the carved pumpkin at 8:07 looked like an alligator. If you go back to look at it, you won't be able to un-see it afterwards, lol. Also, the big old beech(?) tree seemed to be reaching out to help the young, thin birch(?) to stand up. It was not in the final shot, but I saw it while you were deciding on your composition during the video at 10:15.

[@MrVirgilVox]

Yeah great tip, but why do I have to watch someone walking through the woods for 6 minutes before I get to the information? If you intend to give us tips about photography then please just do that, we certainly appreciate that. All the other stuff is nice but has nothing to do with the title of the video.

[@michaeleastwood6755]

Enjoyed it

[@JJtoob]

I thought the log looked a bit like a hippo.

[@garymoreland]

Another great video Henry! I’ve been using the manual focus method you showed me on 1-2-1. Will definitely give this method a try. Stay safe mate.

[@mnamhie]

Henry. New subscriber here, all the way from southern California. I really enjoy your videos. Watching you traipsing around Tyne and Wear makes me miss the UK. What a beautiful and romantic part of the world you live in.

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

Didn't really understand how the focusing technique different from your previous but always enjoy the vids. Your eyes and facial expressions change every 2 seconds!

[@oftheseaband]

Which camera did you use to shoot this video ? Looks fantastic!

[@Lab-Rat]

Wonderful video your photography has matured

[@paulseymour7485]

Excellent tip.

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertdavis1255]

Love the location.... thanks for sharing your views/comments...

[@PMS1950]

Sharpness and obsessing about 'sharpness' is fast becoming the ultimate destination/ambition for many photographers. It's a bit sad because it becomes so overridingly important to them, that other skills such as composition, exposures, creativity etc are all minor considerations when placed alongside the unalloyed and somewhat dubious joy of possessing a razor sharp optic. Enjoy discovering and creating the image and then if you're happy with your composition, rejoice in that moment before even thinking of checking the pixels, noise and technical stuff. And you don't even need a reversed admirals hat to achieve superb images.

[@Gibson1976uk]

Number one thing is to capture that moment before you miss it :) I have a wedding photo that many love, it’s a bit soft but not that bad! but it was one of those, have to take the pic now moments, zero time to mess with any settings :)

[@soundslovers-zg2bw]

Indeeed but he's also focused on composition as he speaks abundantly about it... ;)

[@thorenjohn]

Thank you for the technical tip, and also for all the stream-of-consciousness chitcat about composition. I love your devotion!

[@pleclere]

I think taking pictures in autumn with the sun out is great, so the yellowish light of the autumn sun brings out the autumn colours that can contrast against darker areas, so the leaves seem even more colourful.

[@davewilliamson7549]

Great tip...I also use the Photopills app to find the hyperfocal distance for the focal length I'm using. This works a treat when shooting at night

[@grahamhicks359]

Thanks for the tip Henry, yet another great vlog I’m inspired to get out and take some similar Autumn shots whilst we still have the amazing colours to capture

[@tonyheale9899]

Thanks again Henry! must admit, my little ‘note’ book is nearly full up with all your tips & tricks, they all help though!! Cheers Mate, mint as usual

[@HenryTurnerphoto]

Thanks so much Tony 🙏🏼

[@MattFreestonePictures]

Just come across your channel, Henry. Loving your on-camera style and your photography is stunning too. Thanks for the inspiration to get out - even when the weather isn't amazing!

[@marcsawian]

Thank you Sir Henry 🙏😊

[@ShaunM-xw1em]

Hi Henry,I also find that a good method of focusing,and back button focusing is the way to go! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your day. The tree was a beech tree,a beauty at that!

[@pjcardone164]

So are you primarily manually focusing your camera when your magnifying and using the back button focus,? Or are you shooting in aperture mode, shutter priority? Manual?

[@giljun1]

Thank you for clearly showing! Subscribed .

[@petersmitham8273]

I thought here we go, young Turner is short of content so rehashing old videos, then I tried it today in the woods....What an eye opener!...couldn’t believe the difference between what I thought was in focus on the LCD screen via autofocus and the magnified image?......quite often it was slightly out and manual focus and focus peaking on my Olympus got it nice and sharp..... Cheers Henry!....👍📸🌈

[@heman6540]

Hi Henry, I was wondering what is the handle you got fixed to the left side of the camera and its purpose. Cheers.