Single & Continuous Autofocus for Child Photography
Mastering solid focusing mechanics will dramatically improve your hit rate of sharp, usable keeper photos. When photographing kids, break your focusing approach down into two primary operational modes:
- Stationary Subjects (Single-Shot Autofocus / AF-S / One-Shot): The camera locks focus on a specific point once and holds it until you press the shutter.
- Subjects in Motion (Continuous Autofocus / AF-C / AI Servo): The camera continuously recalculates and tracks focus on a moving target for as long as you hold the shutter button halfway down.
The Closest Eye Rule
When shooting close-up kids' portraits with a fast prime lens and shallow depth of field, always place your focus point directly on the eye closest to the camera lens.
Because a wide open aperture offers only millimeters of acceptable sharpness, focusing on a nose or hair strand will leave the eyes looking distracting and soft. Always review your images on the rear LCD screen, zoom in 100% to inspect the eyes, and if they aren't pin-sharp, delete the shot and try again.
Continuous AF & Burst Mode
When photographing kids running toward the camera, pair Continuous Autofocus with your camera's Burst Mode (High-Speed Continuous Shooting). Firing a short burst of 5 to 10 frames during movement ensures at least one frame catches the exact moment of peak action with perfect focus on the eyes.
Practice Drill: Have your child or dog run straight toward you across the yard while you lie flat on your stomach at eye level, practicing continuous focus tracking.