Project365 - Back Button Focus

Introduction

One of the major objectives for my Project365 program is to insure that I take my time and apply all that I know about photography to each shooting session. And one of the ways that I thought I might best achieve this is by shooting every single day in 100% Manual mode.

This works very well for most situations. I stop to consider the white balance - am I outdoors ? Is it sunny or shady ? I then try to consider what my photographic objective is - do I want the background blurred ? Am I working to make silky smooth water effects ? What look am I trying to achieve ?

When I am shooting landscapes or macro, I have all the time in the world to set up the shot, to think about composition, and to execute properly exposed photographs.

But what about sporting events ? The conditions change so rapidly, that it would be very easy to miss the "great shot" because I was messing with the controls. You see, on my camera and lenses, it still takes me a few seconds to work out the proper exposure, and then get the manual focus "just right".

Back Button Focus

Back Button Focus (BBF) allows me the ability to use auto-focus, initially to set up the focus, and then allow the AI Servo mode to lock focus on, while the subject is moving. It's like a set & forget mode - set up the focus & then get on with the business of shooting the subject.

It's called Back Button Focus, because on a Canon DSLR, the autofocus system is engaged by pressing the shutter halfway. If you want to engage the AI Servo mode, which tracks the focus on moving items, you'd need to keep the shutter halfway depressed. Which (for me, anyway !) brings the risk of accidentally snapping off a photo prematurely ! By moving the autofocus function to a seldom-used button on the back of the camera, it can be operated independently of the shutter !

So for the next week, I am going to try this technique out. Assuming I can get comfortable with it, I will continue this practice, just like I continue to auto-bracket my shots today. Please bear with me, and don't think that I am abandoning my principles - like all good habits, they take a little while to form !

The Photos

LOL. - There is no apparent means of telling that photos are the product of BBF ! But if I see a higher incidence of tack-sharp photos, _I_ will know the technique has paid off. You'll just have to wait & see if my photos get better...

Lessons Learned

I am constantly looking at various techniques to improve my skills. This particular technique appears straight-forward, and I am hoping that once I get used to it, the technique will help me capture tack-sharp photos.