focusing my camera: Hi I am from Northern Virginia and I desperately want to better learn my DSLR Nikon D80 I have a speed light SB 600 mounted on top of camera. I have a yorkshire...

sam's photo

Hi I am from Northern Virginia and I desperately want to better learn my DSLR Nikon D80 I have a speed light SB 600 mounted on top of camera.
I have a yorkshire terrier. I am trying to shoot her while she is lying on back of sofa. Picture window in background makes camera go wild trying to focus on dog and bright background. Other than closing curtain what can I do to get the shot?

snowbear

Check your autofocus mode. I almost always have mine set for "single area" (I have aD40). You will still have some exposure issues with bright background so set the SB60 for fill flash to get the details of the yorkie.

Paulish

Focus manually?

Pompeyrating

Aww Sam , why do you want to shoot her , what has she done to you ?

snowbear

Paulish wrote:

Focus manually?

Not necessarily; if set to continuous (multipoint) mode, the AF can get confused as to what to focus on, especially when the background is close to the subject or overly bright. Switching to single-point mode reduces the number of things the AF can see.

When a lot of things are close together such as close-ups and macros, or when there is very little contrast in the scene, then manual focus might be the best way.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

sam's photo wrote:

Hi I am from Northern Virginia and I desperately want to better learn my DSLR Nikon D80 I have a speed light SB 600 mounted on top of camera.
I have a yorkshire terrier. I am trying to shoot her while she is lying on back of sofa. Picture window in background makes camera go wild trying to focus on dog and bright background. Other than closing curtain what can I do to get the shot?

picture window in background may possibly provide a lovely mirror from which all sorts of reflections will bounce off of..........close the shades and learn to focus manually.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

You definitely need flash fill in that instance. And yes, change the focus mode to "single point" and I would always focus on the eyes - if they're visible, of course! You may need post processing to adjust the exposure because of that strong window light. Good luck.

sam's photo wrote:

Hi I am from Northern Virginia and I desperately want to better learn my DSLR Nikon D80 I have a speed light SB 600 mounted on top of camera.
I have a yorkshire terrier. I am trying to shoot her while she is lying on back of sofa. Picture window in background makes camera go wild trying to focus on dog and bright background. Other than closing curtain what can I do to get the shot?

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

And to add...normally I'd say NEVER use flash directly at your pet because of "pet eye" but in this case you'll need to flash fill and will probably be ok. Best in most cases to bounce your flash off of white ceiling or 2nd choice a white or light colored wall.

donnahde wrote:

You definitely need flash fill in that instance. ... (show quote)

Paulish

snowbear wrote:

Paulish wrote:

Focus manually?

Not necessarily; if set to continuous (multipoint) mode, the AF can get confused as to what to focus on, especially when the background is close to the subject or overly bright. Switching to single-point mode reduces the number of things the AF can see.

Good point (so to speak).

pettigkr Loc: Texas

I agree with the manual focusing. I'd also try to avoid using a flash. I would shoot during the day when the light is best in the room, open all the shades/curtains for warm ambient light, and turn on all available lamps and overhead lighting. It works for my photos of my cat! Also, by having so much light (without a flash), you can have more depth of field, which is good if your dog moves. Good luck!

sam's photo

I felt someone would come up with that HA :)