N-Photo

Master focusing & focus modes

It’s time to get to grips with your Nikon’s focusing modes

and features, to ensure pin-sharp results every time

6 | Focus on a fast-moving subject

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your camera. You may also need to use a high

ISO such as 1600 to allow you to use a fast

shutter speed to freeze any movement,

particularly if you are shooting in dull lighting

conditions. Set shutter-priority exposure mode

and a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec. Finally,

c hoose cont i nuous autofoc us mode (A F- C)

and set the centre focus point.

Now get your subject to move towards you.

Frame your shot so that the focus point is

positioned on them, and take a shot. Then,

making sure that you keep the shutter release

half pressed and the focus point positioned over

t he subjec t, cont i nue t a k i ng a ser ies of i mages.

Once you have got the hang of this technique

you can get your subject to move more quickly

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technique. Eventually you could even try

shooting much faster-moving subjects,

suc h a s c a r s or motorbi kes.

What you’ll learn

The best ways to get

sharp results when

your subject is

moving.

What you’ll need

A moving subject.

Someone walking,

running or cycling for

the camera is perfect

for this, as this you

will be able to repeat

the exercise if

necessary, and you’ll

also be able to

practise with them

moving at different

speeds.

Back-button focusing

Rather than relying on the

shutter release to activate

the focusing when using

continuous autofocus, you

can change the settings on

your Nikon so that the

AE-L/AF-L button on the

back of the camera is used

for focussing instead. Many

professional bodies, such

as the D810 and D4S, have

a dedicated AF-on button,

but on models without one

of those, enter the Controls

Custom Settings Menu, go

to Assign AE-L/AF-L

button, and choose AF-on.

This means that you press

the AE-L/AF-L button with

your thumb to activate the

focusing, which frees up

your finger to press the

shutter release only when

you want to take a shot.

TAKE IT FURTHER

30

mins

30 March 2016 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

MASTER YOUR NIKON

IN A WEEKEND

DAY 2 | MORNING