Beginner Composition question

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Ravinder

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Ravinder Bindra
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Hi guys

I'm very new to the world of photography. I've always read that when taking a photo of the subject, it's always good to have the subject at the side instead of having it dead in the middle of the co position. How do I achieve this? When I'm looking through the viewfinder, the focus is always in the middle so how do I adjust this, if needed?

I have a Nikon D90 with a 18-200mm AF-S lens. Am I right in saying that to focus manually, I must switch the lens from M/A to M? There is also a switch on the camera at the side which has two options - AF and M. Do I change this to M also?

Thanks. Ravinder.
 
Hi Ravinder.

In addition to the suggestion from TheBigYin, there is another way of doing what you're asking.

The back focus button, labelled AE/AF-lock, if pressed and held, will lock focus. So you can grab the focus point you want, press and hold that with your thumb, recompose your image (using rule of thirds) in the viewfinder, then activate the shutter as normal with your forefinger. This is often faster than selecting a focus point. I use this method a lot. Give it a go, its easier to do than explain. :)

Half pressing the shutter button will have a similar effect, but I prefer the above. You don't need to change the focus switch to manual to use either technique.
 
Hi

Another method would be focus and recompose. There are a number of videos on YouTube but I must say it is still a bit of hit and miss for me. Might have to try out the back button focus method mentioned above.
 
Ravinder said:
, it's always good to have the subject at the side instead of having it dead in the middle of the co position. .
Click to expand...

in addition to the above technical advice - 'always' is an exageration ... the rule of thirds is a useful guide for a lot of situation, but remember that rules are for the guidance of wise men and the blind obedience of fools - sometimes bang central is the composition that works, sometimes its something else, so don't get too hung up on rules - take what looks right to you
 
Been very busy with work. Thanks for the advise guys. It was only last night I figured that when looking through the viewfinder and focusing, I can just press the multi selector and with that I can choose to select any one of the 11 focus areas. I can't believe I've only just worked this out. Can I not use this method to take photos? So if I want my subject to be on the left, I can use one of the left focus points to help me? Thanks.
 
You always want to pick the focus point yourself and not let the camera do it for you. Move the focus to the outer point that you want to use and you are there. But just remember that sometimes that focus point won't line up exactly how you want it so you may need to use the method that the others suggested with focusing and recomposing. Also learn to use the rule of thirds. It will help a lot more times then it will hurt.
 
watch out for focus points near the edge, they can be somewhat less reliable than the center grouping or they may find it harder to achieve focus in some situations.
 
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