speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

????????????

leftj Loc: Texas

Yeah, I agree. Where did that come from.

anneabc

So, I guess I don't understand. Have watched those videos. Will continue to watch others.

rfcoakley Loc: Auburn, NH

Posting full downloadable image with EXIF data could show whether focus was correct or not. Otherwise, any response would be just an opinion or guess regarding whether or not you missed the focus vs image blur from low shutter speed. Since, as you say, "the focal point was not staying on her," my opinion is that focus was an issue.

idrabefi Loc: Michigan

I still believe basic photo knowledge is being shadowed by BBF and camera brand in this discussion. First, shooting sports at slow shutter speeds should typically be avoided. Second, sports focus mode should normally be AI Servo (sorry, I shoot Canon). Third, and true for all focus discussions, AF area must be considered. For the image provided, it may have been wise to use manual off center spot AF as the subject is not in the center of the frame. All 3 points apply whether using BBF or not, and all apply regardless of camera brand. Sorry, just my 2 cents.

Bill_de Loc: US

I think from what the OP said and the picture posted, he thought that pressing the button locks focus. So he pressed the button and recomposed, and wound up focusing on the people in the background. Next time he will know to take his finger off the button before recomposing.

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lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Nope, no stick shift automobiles in my life, only ATs. And I have arthritis in my right hand so I best to stick to Shutter Release Button half pressed metering and focusing.

anneabc

You hit the nail on the head, Bill. I HAVE been keeping my finger on the button while recomposing. So many people have said to do so, so I don't know WHAT to believe. I've heard both things. Press to focus, keep finger on button while recomposing, press shutter button,

OR Press to focus, keep finger on button while recomposing, release finger, press shutter button,

OR, Press to focus, release finger to lock in focus, then press shutter button.

No one has been REALLY specific on the process.

leftj Loc: Texas

Don’t rely on input from hoggers. That’s like asking the IRS a question. Just read your manual or third party expert book on your specific camera.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

OK, I'll explain. Automatic transmission vehicles have only two primary controls, the go pedal, sometimes called the accelerator, and the stop pedal, also known as the brake. Once the car is put into drive mode (the big green auto mode on a digital camera) there are just two controls to be concerned with, go and stop. Digital cameras are very similar in their basic auto operation, push the shutter button and it sets the focus, takes a meter reading, and frequently selects a shutter speed and aperture value before making the exposure. All the photographer user has to do is point it roughly in the right direction, which is similar to using the steering wheel on an automatic transmission vehicle.

This is not the case with a stick shift - manual transmission - vehicle. They have one additional pedal and a gear selector in addition to the stop and go pedals and steering wheel. This combination of the clutch pedal - engage engine power to gear box - and the selection of an appropriate gear, take a certain amount of understanding of how the vehicle works and a degree of coordination to get it right.

The use of back button focus combined with servo/continuous focus separates the individual camera functions from the single shutter button to two or more buttons/settings. Focus with one button, and continuous if held, or locked if released. Metering with another button, usually locked if held while recomposing the shot. Doing it successfully takes a similar level of interaction and coordination to driving a stick shift - manual transmission - vehicle. You have to do all the right things, in the correct order, and get the timing right for it to be smooth and seamless. For many people it is more challenging than it looks, and it takes practice. The same is true with BBF, there are two or more things to synchronize to get a good result.

It is pretty clear that the OP does not yet grasp how all of those things work or interact together, but if he/she can handle the complexity of driving a stick shift vehicle - especially on twisty mountain roads - then using BBF should have no greater degree of complexity or difficulty.

Reading the manual to understand how each thing works and experimenting would be a good place to start. Then perhaps you tube videos or other training tools.

This is not about arthritis or other physical impediments, it is about understanding separate functions and coordination.

Apologies if my original post was too obscure, I grew up in a country where every driver was taught to drive a stick shift and had to take their test on a stick shift. Take the test on an automatic, and that is all you were allowed to drive legally.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

Looking at the photo, all the girls sitting are in focus; which makes me wonder, "Why are the girls in focus and your granddaughter is out of focus?" My first thought is that you have to move the camera (and the focus point) and keep it on the subject. By keeping the backbutton depressed, it could be a case that your granddaughter moved and you (inadvertently) focused on the wall (which would keep the seated players in focus).

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Oh but yes I do want the photographer's eye to control the focus. For years I used eye-control focusing cameras. They were dead on and as long as I looked at the object to be in focus, it was. Some folks didn't like them, but I sure did. I was mad as a hornet when I bought my first DSLR and it wasn't there! Almost shipped it back!

IBM

That is OK for a static shot , but if she's moving you keep bb held down , I use it BIF all the time , and it's on cf. Contonues focus
The comment you make above is going to have a lot of flying bird shooters scratching there head , and your focus is changing
With every every shot hopefully, if not your going to get a lot of out of focus shots of moving targets , as a lot are taken wide
Open on a dull day ,

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

How about an apology for being condescending??? If you have information present the information. If you feel the need to have a greater sense of self. See a psychiatrist.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

No apology is required for using an analogy. If you or others consider my comment condescending that is your prerogative.

My sense of self is quite adequate, thank you, and I was only following your own style of communication!