How to Use Focal Lock

Have you ever taken an image, say of people at an event and then later when you look at the image on your computer the people that were the subjects are slightly out of focus but someone in the background came out sharp?

This has happened to many new photographers but many of them do not know why. If it has happened to you don’t feel bad, because in this article I will explain how to correct for this issue. You can see an example in the image below. The couple are the subject but the old woman in the background is the one that is tack sharp.

What is happening is your camera has auto focus, yes but it does not always get the right subject with it’s focus lock. The best way to resolve this is point your camera at one of them subjects and press your shutter down halfway and hold it. This will cause the camera to focus lock on that person. Now, while holding the shutter button halfway down, re-frame your shot to include all your subjects. Once you have it frame the way you want the shot, press the shutter the rest of the way down to make the image.

Sample focus issue, notice the woman in the background is tack sharp.

Using this technique, you will see that you have successfully made your subjects focus tack sharp. This same technique can be use for other types of photography as well. If shooting Macro and you have a bee on a flower and you want to frame using the ‘Rule of Thirds’, you would use this same method. Shooting a landscape with a farmhouse in the distance, use this same method.

Most all professional photographers are familiar with this method to keep auto focus in the camera from ruining their shots. This is something ALL photographers should master early on so that you are properly prepared for shooting people at events especially.

Now get out there and make some great images!

Comments/Questions

How to Deal with Stubborn or Mean Subjects During Event Photography

So one of the students this week posted about some trouble they had had with people not wanting to be photographed at a local event they were shooting for one of their photography classes.

This student had really had some cranky people that they ran into during a public event and asked how to best deal with situations like this. A few of us posted our suggestions and even a couple of the professors chimed in as well with their wisdom, and when it comes down to it, Reuben Njaa had one of the best responses, “Kill them with kindness.”

In photography, there are just certain things that we have to learn to deal with and overcome and one of the toughest is cranky subjects when trying to complete a shoot. Human nature is a sometimes funny thing and one of the oddest quirks that people have is not wanting to be photographed. Some of the Native American tribes as well as other more “primitive” groups of people felt that the camera would steal their souls and they would not be able to get into their Heaven.

The best way to deal with people that yell at you that you cannot take their picture when you are at a public event is to just apologize and not take their photo. Many times, you can change their mind by explaining that you are a professional just doing your job or in your case, a student doing an assignment. Often if you carry yourself as a professional with an air of confidence, you may just convince them to let you complete your assignment with them included.

                                          Concession worker at Gwinnett County Fair 2014

If being the confidant professional doesn’t work you can just apologize and move on. You need to learn to develop a “thick” skin as a photographer as we are not a profession that is truly loved by all. Often a few kind words and an apology and just move on are the best ways to deal with difficult and cranky people. I have found from my own personal experience that having some sort of professional credential helps a bit.

I am not saying that you have to run out and join a group like NPPA, but I did and I upgraded from their student to their Professional membership. Why? Because I not only get a free freelance photojournalist listing in their directory for potential clients to find and hire me, but I also am able to get a photo ID from NPPA with my professional membership that to me is pretty sweet! The IDs are not free as they are produced by a third party company for NPPA but I still feel it’s worth it as it shows you are a professional and most people know that NPPA has to do with news and news outlets.

I wear my photo ID lanyard when I am out shooting for my personal project and it also helps keep the cops away when I am shooting in posted areas or just in general. Is it a fool proof get out of jail card? No it’s not but sometimes a professional credential of some sort is all you need to convince them that you are someone that knows what you are doing and that you are not there to hurt anyone with your camera. You would be surprised how many times I have had people spot my NPPA ID around my neck and they ask me, “which newspaper are you shooting for?” I just told them I was a freelance photojournalist and that was usually sufficient. Some pros will actually make up the name of a phony newspaper and even go as far as having business cards made up with the name of their phony newspaper on them. I have not decided to go that far yet but again, your mileage may vary. I did shoot a local event for Editorial Photography class at a place called Corn Dawgs and there was a lady there giving free hay wagon rides with her tractor. She was’t into the idea of her photo being taken until she found out I was doing it for a class assignment. She just didn’t want to end up in the local paper when she didn’t “look her best”. Once I explained it was for a class assignment, then she said, “Oh, well then shoot away.”

                                           Lady giving hay wagon rides at Corn Dawgs 2014

This post is some of the best, straight forward advice I can give on this subject. The key here is to not be discouraged, work on that thick skin and get back out there making great images.


Comments/Questions

Breaking Bounds: How to Photograph Strangers

For many of us, photographing people is either in or out of our comfort zone.  Many of you who read this might consider yourselves portrait photographers and working with familiar clients might come easier for you than most, but ultimately, these classes will force you out of your comfort zone and ask you to photograph people; no, not just people, but strangers!  You will soon find yourself being told that you are not to use friends or family members for your shooting assignments and you should take this on as a personal challenge.  It is too easy to get caught up in what you are comfortable with and as a photographer you need this experience to keep you on top of your game as a professional.  There are a few simple steps to improving this daunting task and just like anything, with practice comes perfection.

I think you will surprise yourself at how often you will get told "yes" rather than "no" when you ask for permission to photograph someone or something.  I have been told no probably twice.  We tend to believe that no one likes having their picture taken, but in reality, most people don't mind.  So that is the first step: exude confidence in your approach and force yourself to go out and meet people with your camera.  

Next, keep in mind the assignment or concept and practice it as a story for the intent of your shoot.  Having an answer prepared for the inevitable "why?" when you ask to photograph someone will not only make you look and sound confident but professional as well.  Provide a little background information such as "I am a Photography student with the AI and I am working on an assignment that I think you would be perfect for."  It is polite and acceptable to collect their contact information and send them their portrait but it is not necessary to do it for every occasion--you will thank yourself later for not offering every person their complimentary photos.

By this point you have probably noticed that people notice you when you have a camera hanging from your neck.  The good thing is that this gives you a sort of conversation piece for when you approach people you would like to photograph.  It also gives you an excuse to randomly walk up to people and introduce yourself when you find or see someone you would like to photograph when you might naturally be inclined to avoid talking to strangers.  I know having a camera around my neck turns me into a different person--I am all of the sudden extroverted and confident! 

You don't have to introduce yourself first every time though.  When you happen upon an interesting scene it is fine to snap away and get that decisive moment and afterwards you may approach the person if you feel they are curious about your presence.  It may also be necessary to tell people to ignore you and pretend that you are not there so that they continue to act as normal as possible.  Have you ever been trying to photograph someone and they intentionally try to dodge you to get out of your way?  

Stick around, have a chat if and when necessary, and it is encouraged to not be a "taker."  Do not take photos of an interesting scene, have a chat, and abruptly walk away afterwards.  You have entered into a sort of social contract with the person and you kind of owe them the courtesy of your time, otherwise your attitude might come off as rude or arrogant.  Also, try to give back when you can.  You don't have to always offer the gift of complimentary photos as a bargaining tool or to keep the peace.  If you are photographing a vendor, crafts-person, tradesman, a street musician, or something of the like, buy something from them or toss a little money in their hat/cup/case.  It might not always be the best investment with your spare change but it definitely might be an investment towards a priceless story to accompany your experience.  

Lastly, it can also be suggested that when a language-barrier is present, for instance, photographing someone in a foreign country, sometimes a well-timed smile is the only mode of communication necessary for friendly interaction.  Remember that as you embark on this new-found confidence you are cultivating your own reputation as a professional so make sure you are leaving a positive impression on those you encounter.  Do not forget to thank them whether they grant or deny you permission.

Did you find this post helpful?  Do you have a special trick for approaching strangers?  Do you have an interesting story about how engaging people led to increased success in your shoot?  Tell me about it in the comments below!

 

Works Cited

"A young vendor proudly displays her fresh grown produce at the Cedar Farmers Market." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 18 Aug 2014. 

<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/167_4018277/1/167_4018277/cite>

"Snail vendor in an Iquitos, Peru market." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 18 Aug 2014. <http://quest.eb.com/#/search/139_1971908/1/139_1971908/cite>

"Street Vendor, India." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 18 Aug 2014. 

<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/139_1972532/1/139_1972532/cite>

"WASHINGTON, SEATTLE. FRESH FISH MARKET AT PIKE PLACE." Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 18 Aug 2014. 

<http://quest.eb.com/#/search/300_1826838/1/300_1826838/cite>

Westergren, Dan. "How to Photograph Strangers." nationalgeographic. National Geographic Society, 15 March 2013. Web. 18 Aug. 2014. <http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2013/03/15/how-to-photograph-strangers/ >

Who's on First?

Hi All!  Sorry this is late, my family and I are on vacation with no modern technology.  But I have something really important I want to share with you so I am getting creative.

WHO’s on First?  

     Growing up during my teenage years I used to argue with my dad about a couple things (well, probably more than a couple if I am really honest).  My mom passed away when my twin sister and I were only 13 so poor Dad was left for all the “fun” growing up stuff.  Anyway, I digress.   Dad always said we do not grow up until we are 25 (I argued with him until I was about 28 and a parent myself).  He also said a good part of life is about WHO you know, not WHAT you know.  Being a strong willed, task oriented perfectionist I adamantly refused to believe that.

     Over the years since then (25+) I have experienced truth in my dad’s comment about WHO you know being important.  In fact, I am in the midst of one of these experiences right now.  Let me explain.

     During Portfolio Exploration one of the assignments is to interview someone that uses a portfolio (preferably someone in your chosen field of photography).  At this point I was honestly still a little confused as to exactly what direction I wanted to go.  Well not so much wanted but what direction was practical.  I called a friend whose father has been in the photography business for MANY years (studio, portrait, events, etc) and through this conversation I told her that I am really interested in documentary/editorial photography and maybe photojournalism.  She told me she has a friend at the Des Moines Register that is a photojournalist.  At 11:30pm (sometimes we work odd hours) I received a forwarded text from my friend saying the PJ would be happy to talk me, his phone number and a time to call.

Sometimes it DOES matter WHO you know!

     I took my list of interview questions and within 60 seconds of the phone call he broke the “formality ice” with a joke and the rest of the conversation/interview was a ton of fun and a wealth of information.  We ended up talking about what equipment we used and he encouraged me to apply for an opening photojournalist position at the Resister and told me to keep his contact information.  WOW!

Sometimes it is WHO you know.

 

  

 And the story does not end there.  Every year the Register sponsors RAGBRAI (the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) and this year it passed through my town.  I planned to photograph the event for my own purposes and as I was photographing the oldest RABGBRAI participant (Betty turns 90 on Wednesday) I noticed someone in a Des Moines Register t-shirt doing the same.  LIGHT BULB moment!  I sent PJ a text asking if he was in town and we could meet.  He said, “Sure,” and we made arrangements.

     Not only did we meet, but for TWO HOURS, I shot photos WITH PJ! 

I saw things through the eyes of a real Photojournalist. 

We ended up on the ROOF of a BANK ......

..... and the top of the largest working windmill in the United States .....

        to get the best vantage points for street shots! 

Another thing my dad always said, “It never hurts to ask, the worst that can happen is you get told ‘No,’ and then you are no worse off than if you had never asked.”  I would add the best that can happen is they say, “Yes!”

Who’s on first?  It DOES matter!

It has been a Manic Monday…..

Monday Ambassador

Photo credits:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP7jEIzQCFt0mnOO_UDnRwS_GwRJWl5TFnTWebjrScSKTw5XTmuQYvd0xfiVvKuMpxzY85_6RgBazxNQrwYbbR4OAvzsBZUdQEk05T0BzI8Sq2aAAkuKl0FeqNok9cVH-QwA2ly8acqs/s1600/A+%26+c.jpg

Lisa K. Morgan Photography (lisakayimages.zenfolio.com)