MASTERING FOCUSING TECHNIQUES. Where do you put the focus point? What is hyperfocal distance?
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My name is Simon d'Entremont and I'm a professional wildlife and nature photographer from Eastern Canada. This video will show you how to solve focus issues, either getting the whole scene in focus, or nailing the focus on your subject.
I use Topaz Labs software for noise reduction, sharpening and upscaling:
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What focussing technique do you use? Would you like to share?
When I started shooting swimmers, my method was AI focus + single point + burst + f/2.8 (indoor). The focus point was either on the head or the eye (I have a 6D mark 2) and I relied on predictive place where my swimmer will be + analysis (stroke count, side of breathing). Recently, I tried the back button techique with AI servo + single point + burst. It made my life easier. I tried the square focus but with the water foam and so on, it doesn't work too well. Thanks to you metering video, I changed this as well and I have better result. Thanks so much for your videos. They are well explained.
My first dslr used an older 9 point af system, so I used single shot 1 point af to lock onto my subject (they mostly stayed still) and then reframe the shot until I was happy with the composition. I'm hoping that since my newer dslr has 45 cross type af points that I'll be able to switch back to continuous af.
When shooting Bluebirds zooming in to their birdhouse, I set up a "wide" zone in auto focus on my R camera. I prefocused on the side of the birdhouse. At my shooting distance (20-25 meters), I captured the house and around 1 meter in front of it with my 500 mm on my EOS R camera. After getting down my timing (they're really quick), I was able to get some sharp images with a high speed burst mode at 1/1250 sec and f/4.0. I used a similar technique for hummingbirds at the feeder. Since I was shooting at minimum focusing distance, I needed to stop down to f/8 or more to get an acceptable DOF. I now have a new R6mII; I'm anxious to try its autofocus. I think it will be a big improvement over my trusty R body.
i use life view on a 5d mark 2 and manual focussing for land scape fotography i point camera on subject zoom digitally in as far as i can look on live view adjust focus manually till subject is sharp then use the 2 second timer to avoid movement all with a tripod off course. thank you for your great videos Simon I've learned a lot from you !!
I was wondering, if I wanted to buy a print of your photo's where can I do that? I don't see a purchase button for prints on your website.
This channel is so unbelievably valuable it insane. Many others would charge you money for all the tips and tricks Simon is offering here
Seriously. He is my reference material now, and my skills have increased significantly since I discovered this channel.
Yes absolutely….I couldn’t agree more.
Simon is amazing,I've learned so much thanks to his videos
Thanks very much!!
@@simon_dentremont thank you too Simon 🙏
This has become my favorite channel on KZhead as of late. I used to do photography semi-professionally and just LOVE hearing advice from VERY true seasoned professionals!!
I have been a photographer for years and your depth of knowledge is stunning! Absolutely every time I watch your videos I walk away learning more and more. I am sure you have forgotten more than I have ever known LOL, but with that said, you're one of the best teachers I have ever seen and I can prove it. I have been married for over 30 years and while I have been a photographer for over 20 I have tried to teach my wife over the years, but she can not remember the technical aspects of a camera, the other day she had questions about something on her R7 about focus points and when I walked in the office she was watching one of your videos. She turned and said if I have explained it like Simon she would have remembered it LOL. Seriously those who are getting into photography should watch your videos hands down.
Too kind!
This channel is such a gem. Awhile back I had to do a photoshoot for a birthday party and was very nervous as I had never done it before. The camera I have was just a gift to me I only recently have begun to learn how to use (and love as well!) But because of these videos, I was able to come out of that party with photos everyone was happy with, and some even of an artistic design! I had to use EVERYTHING I ever learned from Simon's channel on the fly, but that I think is a credit to how practical and how easy to remember these videos make it to be! 💙 Big Thank You for this channel! 📸
Too kind! Thanks very much!
I'm just beginning to explore manual focus, aperture, ISO, and exposure time after a decade of taking photos using only point and shoot. Now, I have an old second hand Sony NEX-5, and tried prime lenses for the last two months. I find the manual operations so intuitive and their effects, that I am amused that they have nice names, like "hyperfocal distance," "refraction" in the aperture, "sunstars," and etc.
in other youtube channel, the graph that KZhead shows on play bar(the most viewed part) are usually have high peak to certain part. But this Simon's playbar is very stable through out the whole video. This literally proves this man's video delivers important tips thruout the whole video. Impressive!
I talk to myself a lot while I'm setting my camera on the field. Sometimes, I say out loud "My name is Simon d'Entremont" to channel your energy. Thank you for your videos
Does it work?
@@scillyautomatic Yes, it totally works! all my anxiety go away. People think I'm crazy, though :P
@@mechouilli Whew! I'll have to try it!
Lol! 👍
I’ll have to trademark that!
The apparently endless stream of clear, concise and convivial explanation continues unabated.
I think I need to watch this one a few times before I really get hyperfocal distances. I had it in my head that I needed to use something like F18 to get the whole image in focus and couldn't understand why it wasnt working
My biggest problem is focusing on birds. They are always moving! Especially those bluejays! Thanks for this advice.
Darned uncooperative birds. Not only that, they're rowdy and they sound horrible!
Blue Jays are very hard for photos, they don't stop moving 😂
Yeah with my non pro lenses, it's manual focus or no focus😅
Blue jays definitely move a lot, however, if you can find them feeding, they can be pretty easy to shoot. At my college, they’ll often feed underneath a couple of trees towards the center of campus. If I stay relatively close to those trees, they’ll occasionally move, however, they always come back. Learning their behavior has been very rewarding both for my photography and just in general knowing about the local environment.
Someone left some grains on the ground of Shubie Park, they were feeding on them and got many photos at once, best day for me taking photos there
I always feel smarter about photography after watching videos on this channel.
Thank you, sometimes I feel so dumb not understanding everything you say. But you are a good teacher for sure!
Back in the day….when I learned photography on my Minolta XG7 and there was no autofocus we used to set the lens for it’s hyperfocal length so we could pick it up and shoot with confidence most pics would be in the range. If using a fixed or prime lens there was an aperture scale on the lens. If I knew I was shooting at f11 I would put the infinity marker of the distance ring on the right 11 mark of the aperture scale. From looking at the left 11 on the aperture scale I would know that everything from 1.3 ft to infinity should be in focus.
Great explanation and visualization of stopped-down depth of field and hyperfocal distance! Some powerful techniques.
Nice to have your tutorial, Specially animated graphic to understand easily.
This is the best photography channel on you tube. Thank you friend for all you do for us aspiring photographers! Keep shining ! The world needs your light !
Thank you so much 😀
I've just recently taken the leap into more wildlife photography after investing in the original canon 500mm f4 and if i hadn't watch Simons videos before my purchase, id be completely lost and maybe so frustrated, I may have sold the lens. Its still a challenge but the images ive been getting by implementing his tips have completely changed my photography and confidence behind the camera. Very well and clear spoken, calm and encouraging. By far the best overall photo KZhead channel out there! Thank you, Simon!
Thanks very much!
Damn that last trick was so good.
Going to refocus to try to capture some kingfishers diving in the water this weekend. Fingers crossed. Keep the great content coming Thank you
Good luck!
Consistently the only photography channel worth watching!
My brain is overwhelmed in a good way.
The infographic/animations were excellent. Thank you!
Glad you like them!
Thanks Simon, very clear explained.
Thank you Simon, you have a gift for explaining technical information in an entertaining and easy to understand way, very appreciative of these teachings 🙏
Many thanks!
PhotoPills also has the 'Classic DoF', a 'Pill' with 3 panels, one of which is a visual representation of camera, subject, DOF and Hyperfocal distance. At least for me somewhat easier to understand than the tables.
Thanks, Simon, yesterday i was challenged trying to get sharp focus on birds.
You can do it!
Thankyou Simon,your knowledge and tuition is priceless.Thankyou.J
Landscape photography has always been my weakest link. Learning about hyper focal lengths is very helpful, thank you!
Most value-added channel around! I’ve learned so much. Thank you.
Great to hear!
Excellent video. You clarified some questions I had. Thank you for taking the time to help us beginners.
Another excellent instructional video!
Enjoy your channel and love for photography. Your hyper focus video is well done. In addition to getting the focus point right also try to shoot early in the day. I learned that heat waves rising up from the water or ground between the focus point and camera can be another cause for blur in the image.
Simon! Thanks for the awesome tips! I got one of my favorite shots this week using some of your tips. I was shooting a landscape scene and I remembered you talking about looking behind you. The sky lit up behind me and a great horned owl flew onto a tree close enough for me to get amazing shots of the owl with my 400m. The entire background is just fire red sky’s with a great backlit shot of the owl.
Where can we see this amazing image?
Sir i have been watching your videos from 2 days in a row and my basic concern was if the a6400 kit lens is worth having or buy Just the camera body and some other lens I have realised that what I plan to do with camera is - KZhead video, photos for Amazon listings and landscape photography like sunsets More i watch more i get sure that the kit lens is all I need for almost 3 years and the best part is it'll force me to learn the camera functionality and improve my skills rather then providing a escape route for me to just click the shutter and claim myself a photographer
I imagine it’s greatly satisfying to know you help so many budding and probably even experienced photographers. I’ve only had a camera for a couple months and watching your channel for the last couple weeks is unlocking a total wealth of knowledge. Thanks and merry Christmas. Jesus and I both love you
Thanks very much!
That last tip is actually a game-changer about pre-focusing close with a mirrorless. Will have to try that, to avoid the dreaded "stuck background" focus.
Your ability to share your knowledge is impressive. Great lesson, thank you.
My pleasure!
Simon encore une fois, tu explique les chose d'une façon très technique mais d'une simplicité facile a comprendre. Non seulement vous êtes un photograph super, mais vous êtes un professeur hors pair!
Simon parle Français ? :O
@@mechouilliI think so, his name sounds French, du moins je crois 😁
Bien sûr!
Merci beaucoup!!
@@mechouilli Je l'espère, il est un d'Entremont de Nouvelle-Écosse :D
I have been watching this channel for a year and thanks to it I have made a lot of progress, looking at what photos I took before and what photos I took now, and I started with photos of wildlife. For me Simon, you are a great teacher and guideman. From deep of my heart, Thank You.
Welcome!
Keep uploading vids Simon. Just love them, I try to watch them regularly. It really helps me.
this is my teacher that i enjoy. hi sir thanks again
Good Morning Simon . I am one of your fans. I have watched a lot of your videos and have learned quite a bit. In addition to photography I like the way you take us through the video. I am Nikon Z 8 and 9 user. My wife and I would like to join in one your expeditions to Africa.Please continue with your great work. God Bless.
Fantastic!
Sir! I tip my hat to you! Tough topics cogently explained ... and your graphics are also superb! This is one of the best photog videos I can remember.
Thank you so much 😀
An explanation that I’ve been looking for years on KZhead , Simon simplified and demonstrated is perfectly with examples. DOF is a bit challenging yet Simon makes it look so easy . Much Appreciated 👏
Glad it was helpful!
Again perfectly explained. This channel offers many treasures of information - thank you so much, Simon!
Simon, you are a true professional! Watching your tutorials is pleasant, enjoyable and sooo informative! Thank you! 🎉
My pleasure!
A good refresher course. Thanks for taking me along!
WOW! NOW I UNDERSTAND HYPER-FOCAL DISTANCE and pre-focusing on my R5. Thank you for this!
Happy to help!
I was just about ready for that video! It is packed with very useful info and so well presented. Thank you, Simon, once more
My pleasure!
🙌 thank you sir . It's so much helpful for beginners like me
I’ve watched dozens of videos on focusing and this is the first one that explained how narrow the depth of field can be when using long focal lengths. I now know why some of my long shots have missed the target. Incredible channel my friend!
I really enjoy your technique videos and I think that you are one of the best on KZhead
MASTERCLASS. Thanks Simon
Your tutorials are awesome sir. Thank you verymuch sir.
Glad you like them!
Great knowledge and tips. Thanks Simon.
Glad it was helpful!
Your channel is great. I purchased a Canon R50 and looked to KZhead to learn how to use it. No dreams of becoming a pro photographer but I have learned how to do great things with it watching you. Thank you for all the info and making it understandable.
Welcome aboard!
Another great video. Grazie Simon 😊
Love all these tips, straight forward and wonderfully explained!
Just both my Canon R7 a well needed upgrade from my 1100D 😅 after 7 years ! I want to focus mainly on nightlife events and portraits, but love wild life too ! Theses last few month when i both the camera im taking it more seriously as i would like to make it a part time jobs in clubs , and im so gladly that i found you here you are truly a great teacher in photography ! Well detailed every step i really appreciated and thank you so much 😊
Very nice!
Great tip on refocusing at the end of your video. This P950 Nikon is not the greatest birding camera but I think I just need to learn more of it’s capabilities before I ditch it
As always, clear and helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, Simon, great tips as always.
My pleasure!
This is an awesome explanation
Great video Simon, thank you. 🙂
At last a sensible and practical explanation of hyperfocal distance. Great video as usual.
Glad you liked it!
Excellent blend of theory and practicality!
Very informative Simon, learned something new today 👍🙏
Perfect video to fill the last 12 minutes of work!
You explain everything so exceptionally well. Thanks for sharing.
So nice of you
Your channel has helped me improve my photography a great deal! I would personally like to thank you for such a great channel with wonderful useful information. Thanks Simon.
You are so welcome!
Sir, You are great. Greetings from Slovakia.
Terrific demonstrations of depth-of-field and hyper-focal distances!
Great video Simon!
Really appreciate your videos Simon. Recently got into photography and your recent videos have all been great help!
Great to hear!
Thanks for another great video! I recently stumbled across your channel and I've been binging videos over the past couple of days. Fantastic content!
binge away!
Love your videos, sir !
Best focus video I’ve seen concise and comprehensive.
Wow, thanks!
You’re ver welcome
Very
I love this guy!
And again, an excellent video on a subject you think you understand but really didn't know everything about (until now). As always, the most difficult problem is putting into action (especially with the very short days at the moment).
Perfectly explained as usual. Thank you for making another confusing subject easy to understand.
Glad it was helpful!
Great tips. I'm going to try a few of them. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Simon, Great tips.
My pleasure!
Awesome, My Tuesday just got better! Thanks for the advice. Your channel is such a great hub for seriously good information.
Happy to help!
Thank you for introducing this new photographer to a new and valuable concept. As usual explained in a clear and understandable way.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for that information.
Any time!
This video is such a big help! I shoot with the sigma 150/600mm C and as you know it’s not great in low light, so I have been reluctant to stop up to shoot these ducks that have frequented my pond at dusk everyday and it’s been difficult to get the whole bird in focus.
I love your videos, has helped me so much with my photography
Glad you like them!
Excellent tips thank you
Thanks Simon, I need to work on this. Sometimes it's such a compromise.
I believe this is what I’m looking for. I’ve been trying to take pictures trying to get everything in focus shooting at f14 and I still have bokeh
It is great to see how much your audience has grown! Enjoyed this video which gave me so much information. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Another great video! Thanks
Thanks again!
The best Photography channel! Thank you. ❤
Glad you think so!
Thank you for so many very informative videos. The explanations on settings or techniques is easy to understand and of great value. It is much appreciated be me and I'm sure so many others.
Great to hear!
Exception learning , too good. many thanks. 🙏🏽 no words to express how good and valuable your tips are .
Thanks a ton
great information and tips as always. Thank you
My pleasure!
Excellent advice!
Just love your videos 😊
So glad!
Hi Simon....excellent video as always...I always find your tips and advice very educational...I am just starting out on the photography journey and look forward to putting your advice into action....thank you for such amazing content 💯💯💯💯
Fantastic!