how to
photograph
wild birds

Lesson 16

Let’s manipulate the focus using random AF points

In the lessons up to now, the AF points (focusing with single AF point, and focusing with groups of AF points) have all been set in the center of the frame, but you can actually move the AF point(s) off the center. Let me explain what you can do by moving the AF point(s).

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Slaty-backed Gulls
Slaty-backed Gulls
Slaty-backed Gulls
Enlarge

I discovered the flight path of a flock of Gulls. It was a good setting with mountains in the background, but if I focused on the center, the great surrounding scenery would be lost. So, after I arranged the composition, I set the AF Point Expansion (8 Points) (Manual selection, surrounding points) to capture the flying Slaty-backed Gulls in the best position.

Image data
  • Aperture value: f/5.6
  • Shutter speed: 1/1250 second
  • ISO speed: ISO400
  • Exposure compensation: 0
  • Focal length: 100mm
  • DSLR Camera (APS-C image format)

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More photo opportunities, better shots!

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In Lesson 12, I explained a way to adjust the composition when, after focusing, you have locked the focus (AF lock) by taking your thumb off the <AF-ON> button. If the subject is stationary, you simply adjust the composition after you've positioned the subject in the center AF point and focused. If, however, you are trying to shoot a moving subject, that is perhaps singing, grooming its wings, or looking around, with a telephoto lens, the focus can drift. In that case, if you keep the AF point on the bird, when the bird moves a little you can keep adjusting the focus with back-button AF. The fact that you don't have to move the camera all of the time means you will be ready to get the perfect shot when the opportunity arises. Now let me explain a way to move the AF point when you want to concentrate on composition.

Note: With the exception of automatic selection AF, all AF selection modes have a “manual” option. It's called “manual” because you can move the position of the focus point(s) on the viewfinder.

1 To move the AF point, press the AF Point Select button at the top right corner on the rear of the camera. The AF point will flash red in the viewfinder.

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AF Point Select button
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Viewfinder display

2 If you turn the Top Dial while the AF point is flashing, the AF point will move up or down. You can move the AF point to the right or left using the Rear Dial. You can move in any direction—up, down, left, right—with the Multi-controller.

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Top Dial, Quick Control Dial
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Viewfinder display

Let's reset the AF point to the center after shooting

You can reset the AF point to the center (default position) after moving it around the frame by pressing the Setting button for a few seconds. Try to get in the habit of setting the AF point back to the center after you finish shooting. If the AF point is at the edge of the frame, when you suddenly get a good opportunity, you will be frustrated at the blurry shot because you did not focus where you wanted to.

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Setting button
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Viewfinder display

Manipulate AF areas and AF points

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When the subject is stationary, a single AF point is the better choice. It is easy to understand when you review Single-point AF and AF point expansion (4 points) (Manual selection). However, when the subject is a bird in flight, the bird moves out from an AF point and the subject appears blurry. If you want to shoot a bird in flight with keeping composition, AF point expansion (8 points) (Manual selection, surrounding points) and/or Zone AF is the better choice.

If your priority is composition, use Single-point AF or AF point expansion (4 points) (Manual selection)

I spotted a Siberian Rubythroat perched in some Japanese knotweed. Even though it was not singing, since it was not moving, after I took a shot with the bird in the center, I adjusted the composition, moving the AF points of four-point AF point expansion (Manual selection) to where the bird was positioned in the frame, and then focused. It might look like there is too much space on the left, but with this kind of composition, that space can be used to write a message if you were to use it as a postcard or something like that.

Aperture value:
f/5.6
Shutter speed:
1/160 second
ISO speed:
ISO400
Exposure compensation:
0
Focal length:
700 mm
DSLR camera (APS-C image format)
Image
Viewfinder display
Siberian Rubythroat
Siberian Rubythroat
Siberian Rubythroat
Enlarge

If your priority is composition with flying birds, use AF point expansion (8 points) (Manual selection, surrounding points) or Zone AF

For birds in flight, the focus will be off when the main bird is not in the AF point range or it does not come into it. When you want to take a photo of flying birds with the priority on composition, AF point expansion (8 points) (Manual selection, surrounding points) or Zone AF is best.
A Slaty-backed Gull is flying above the sea dotted with drift ice. The drift ice and the mountains make for a nice setting, but if you focus on the center, the drift ice will not all fit in the composition. So, after arranging the composition, I set the AF point expansion (8 points) (Manual selection, surrounding points) to the best position for the soaring Slaty-backed Gull and took the shot.

Aperture value:
f/8
Shutter speed:
1/500 second
ISO speed:
ISO200
Exposure compensation:
0
Focal length:
35 mm
DSLR camera (APS-C image format)
Image
Viewfinder display
Slaty-backed Gulls
Slaty-backed Gulls
Slaty-backed Gulls
Enlarge

mr. tozuka's sidebar


Live View shooting is great for low-angle shots

A camera equipped with a vari-angle LCD monitor is very useful when you want to take shots from a low angle. Normally when you shoot from a low angle, you lie down on the ground. If you are by the water's edge you will get wet even if you are wearing rain gear. And your eyes can deceive you, although you may think you are holding the camera level, it may, in fact, be positioned at an angle. With the vari-angle monitor, however, you can sit in a low chair or on the ground and shoot with the camera in the palm of your hand, or you can put the camera on the ground and take the shot. Moreover, with regard to the kind of photographs you can take, you can avoid taking photos from an uncomfortable position since you can check the composition on the monitor. There are many models that offer touch screen control of focusing on the LCD monitor, making possible quick autofocusing.


Since I was able to get close by pretending that I was eating, I photographed the flock of Northern Pintails with the landscape in the background. In this kind of situation, if you have a camera with a vari-angle LCD monitor you can take the shot without lying on the ground and you can easily make it level too.

Aperture value:
f/4
Shutter speed:
1/2500 second
ISO speed:
ISO200
Exposure compensation:
0
Focal length:
17 mm
DSLR camera (APS-C image format)
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Vari-angle LCD monitor
Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail
Enlarge

Comment from a learner

I spotted a Brown-eared Bulbul sitting in a tree. Thinking about the balance with the tree branches, I wanted to position the bird slightly off center, and since it was moving its head around, after I decided on the composition, I moved the focus point to where the bird was (setting Single-point AF for the AF area), and took the shot while maintaining the focus.

  • Viewfinder display

    Camera settings
    AF operation: One-shot AF
    AF area selection: Single-point AF

  • Brown-eared Bulbul, by a learner
    Brown-eared Bulbul, by a learner
    Brown-eared Bulbul, by a learner
    Enlarge
    Aperture value:
    f/5.6
    Shutter speed:
    1/640 second
    ISO speed:
    ISO400
    Exposure compensation:
    -0.3
    Focal length:
    400 mm
    DSLR camera (APS-C image format)

Message from Mr. Tozuka

Positioning the bird poking its head out from the branches in the center of the frame is often times not very good composition, but here the Brown-eared Bulbul looks really cute with its head poking out from the branches. With the tree trunk behind the same color as the bird, you have succeeded in making it look like an illusion!