Sharp Focus Tips Please - mostly kids on the move

I am shooting with the XTI and using either a 50mm 1.8 or a 28-80 3.5-5.6 kit lens. I have gone between the one shot and the Al focus modes and I shoot in mostly AV or have been working in manual as well lately.

I am mostly working with kids that are running around with variable backgrounds. Though last week I took some pictures of a newborn using one shot and center point focus. In both situations, I feel like I "Spray and Pray."

Any suggestions on how to up my percentages? I am very picky about good focus on the eyes and am not happy unless I get it! Most of my shots are just a little bit off.

Thanks for your tips.

I'm taking a photo each day of my daughter. She's now almost 18-months old and moves around like crazy, so I can definitely relate to your post.

First off, be sure that you're using the AF point closest to the eyes of the child. It's going to be less sensitive than the center point, so you'll need to make sure you're not in a dark room.

Make sure it's in AI focus mode. Personally I use one-shot rather than burst, which helps me to work on predicting when to press the shutter. I find that you'll end up with a higher keeper rate if you're more aware of the child than if you're just blasting burst after burst. Put the AF-point on the eyes/face and half-press the shutter. Wait until you like the framing and take the shot.

Finally, the easiest way to get a higher keeper rate is to use f/5.6-f/8 (or an even smaller aperture). Of course you'll have a trade-off on shutter speed, but a flash will help a lot as well.

I use flash for 99% of my photos (bounced using the FlipIt) and use Manual whenever indoors. I use ISO200, 1/125 and f/4-8 depending on the background.

Hope that helps, the best thing you can do is practice a lot and try to notice when your child is just about to move, blink, etc. You'll see some patterns and you'll (hopefully) have an easier time getting just the right shot.

Thanks for your suggestions Ben. I have done most of the things you suggest, though usually I just use the center point and recompose the image. Your suggestin about the flash is interesting. I do have a speedlight, but something has been keeping me from practicing with it... I guess it is time to pull it out of the box and get some utility out of it.

Thanks again,

Kristine

I use fast apertures(Av mode) like 1.8-2.8, Your nifty fifty should be good for this. I also try fast shutter speeds (Tv mode) from 200-500 depending on the available light. Flash can help, but the shots look more natural without it. It does have its place and I mostly try to bounce the light off a wall or ceiling rather than blasting them in the face.

If my kids are moving around alot I try to get sequences, normally the first shot is blurry, but the next shot is sharp. Thats when I am using servo mode. I can use one shot if they are still enough.

The eyes are normally what you should focus on however using 2.8 & up you can go for anywhere on their face and still keep them in focus.

You can also do a bit of PP sharpening to help boost your images a little.

Oh and use an iso of 400 - 800 if you are indoors.

With my son, I just stick it in P mode, play with settings a little to my liking, (always RAW) and enjoy the results.

Life is too short with kids growing up to worry about perfection in the photos, it's memories captured that count.

With my family photos, I aim for taking snapshots

superstes wrote in post #6387634
With my son, I just stick it in P mode, play with settings a little to my liking, (always RAW) and enjoy the results.

Life is too short with kids growing up to worry about perfection in the photos, it's memories captured that count.

With my family photos, I aim for taking snapshots

as much as I may like to rebuke this......because i believe in more control....manual, i like the thought here. P mode does not mean u are less a photographer than someone who does not. I think Kelby said once, shoot P mode when you don't know or cannot anticipate what's next...something like that. like street photography.
at the very least, use single shot, bump iso if you have to, low AP lens and shoot, shoot , shoot!

Hi 1downfall

Don't get me wrong, I still take a lot of photo's of the family in M, just some times I want to rattle a few off and enjoy some family time

Steve

For movement, you've got to use AI-Servo. One-Shot or AI-Focus won't cut it.

But don't forget, one shot focus , and a high shutter speed could do better,the timing is critical.

superstes wrote in post #6483285
But don't forget, one shot focus , and a high shutter speed could do better,the timing is critical.

For movement, one-shot will never outperform AI-Servo.

Beg to differ through experience.

But that's what makes photography great.

Each to there own,

Steve

superstes wrote in post #6483354
Beg to differ through experience.

Ask any sports photographer if they use AI-Servo or One-Shot -- 99.5% will say AI-Servo. Kids running around, is similar to shooting sports.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=583875

I was stuffed after chasing them around all day! But I was happy with the results.

I took those with the nifty fifty and was all on One-Shot and center focus point. Never touched AI-Servo and used and relatively low shutter speed, I think its more timing and position. Are they your kids? Or someone elses? If they are someone elses or even yours I guess, try and get someone to get their attention, that might at least get them to stay still for a split second giving you a chance, stay as close as you can and keep your eye in that viewfinder

oh those pictures are absolutely adorable, love the expressions you caught

Thanks everyone...Lots of great tips. The biggest seems to be just keep shooting!