Suspended! by northy

Suspended!

Posting looking for settings help... how would you go about getting the focus on the jumper and not the net?

I could focus manually and then hope the jumper doesn't wander too far from the focal point (i'm using a low f/stop to max out on speed (also boosted ISO) to freeze the action... will likely retry with my 50 that can go down to f/1.8 - so focus will need to be spot on...

Any thoughts on getting this right appreciated!
Trial and error! Having done this myself it was really just a matter of taking many, many shots and deleting a whole load xx
September 17th, 2012  
This is not likely the answer you are looking for but I like to stick my arm inside the zippered door and forgo having the net in front of the jumper. If you really want the net in the shot I don't know how to get the effect you want.
September 17th, 2012  
ps. Love the light in his hair.
September 17th, 2012  
@edie tx!! yeah... i'm thinking i may just have to get in there with him... but that will make holding the camera steady and gettig the light and stuff that much harder!
September 17th, 2012  
Just your arm!! I guess you could get all the way in but it might be a bit bouncy yes.
September 17th, 2012  
@edie i'd need a step stool or something... otherwise i'd be too low, i think? but might be worth trying... i want to catch the light in his hair too :)
September 17th, 2012  
It's a fun shot. Wish I knew the answer to your question.
September 17th, 2012  
Awesome
September 17th, 2012  
Lyn
Maybe you could tag one of the great advisors like @abirkill - he's so good about offering help! Or maybe I've just tagged him for you! ;->
September 17th, 2012  
Great!
September 17th, 2012  
Could you get closer to the net so by the time you have a wide aperture it is so out of focus you lose it? Have used this technique at zoos before and has sometimes worked quite well ...
September 17th, 2012  
What I've done is to work out how far the object is from you then focus on something else the camera will recognise at that distance, hold that focus on the shutter button, swing round and aim at the object and press the button fully down!
September 17th, 2012  
I could only come up with a non photogenic solution.....temporarily remove the net! :) http://365project.org/onie/365/2012-02-18
September 18th, 2012  
great timing! looks like he is at the height of his jump. I have a hard time with fences and nets.
September 18th, 2012  
Looks like he is having fun.
September 18th, 2012  
Nice timing.
Not sure if it helps in this case, but when shooting through fences I normally get as close to the fence as possible & shoot with the widest aperture available.
September 18th, 2012  
Definitely not autofocus in a situation like this because the camera might have a different idea to you! Sounds like you have the solution though
September 19th, 2012  
You'll definitely need manual focus if you want to keep the net in the shot but the focus on the jumper. The net is high-contrast (a lot of brightness variation between the net string and the background) so the camera, which is dumb, will try and focus on that (auto-focus systems just try to maximise contrast difference).

Some high-end cameras like the 5D Mk3 or 1D series have configurable focus tracking modes where you can prioritise moving objects over still objects, for just this kind of shot -- that would, in theory, get around the problem, but those options aren't available on consumer DSLRs currently.

As suggested, the other options are to either get inside the net, which could be dangerous(!), or to get much closer to the net. If you are really close to the net (a few inches to a foot or so) then your lens won't be able to focus on the net, as it will be too close. By using a wide aperture you will also have a narrower depth of field. This will usually make the net 'disappear' as it will be so blurred -- even though you are shooting right through it, it doesn't show up on the photograph. It's amazing how solid a net or fence can be and yet still completely disappear if you are right next to it. For this shot, you would also have to limit the camera to use a single focus point (preferably the more accurate centre point) which you position over the jumper as you compose the shot, as otherwise it may have a tendency to focus on the net on the far side of the jumper.
September 19th, 2012  
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