Thread: focusing question

I am shooting a quick family tonight. It's my uncle, aunt, and four older kids. My question is, do you toggle your focus points when shooting a large group or do you let the camera focus? If you toggle, who would you toggle on? I feel so stupid right now.

I have a hard time with toggling my focal points, personally. But maybe that's because I'm usually shooting kids who are quick and move so fast! I've done it a few times with Carson, who is finally now staying still and will take direction. I usually focus on one focal point and then recompose. You'll probably need to close up to get everyone in focus. I don't do many groups, so maybe someone else can help too!

i would say it depends on your DOF settings. If you have a high DOF then i'd pick the person most in front to focus on and the rest should fall into place. If you have a lower DOF then i'd try to get them all on the same plane and either focus on the center, or auto focus and let the camera focus on everything in the frame as best it decides. Try a few different things and then pick the best of them!

Normally I toggle and go with the person in the back, but I am wondering what is best. I will be shooting probably at a 7.1 or so b/c it's a larger group.

Personally, I would probably focus on the person in the center. Make sure you are a good distance from them (if possible) so that more of them will be in the same plain (& therefore in focus together). You might even be able to open up more that way (to maybe f/5.0).

Good luck!

GiGi

I'm a toggler. When I shoot groups, I try to pick someone in the middle of the group (so, if you have 3 rows of people, pick someone in the middle row/plane) and focus on them. This insures that the people in front and in back are equally in focus (as long as you remember to close up a bit!
Hope that helps!