2. The Basics of Autofocus

How autofocus works and why you should care

You don’t need to know how the autofocus in your camera works, but you should. Knowing what the camera is doing as it tries to autofocus allows you to help it along and, in doing so, get the best results. The autofocus in your camera is an amazing technology that photographers just take for granted now. When I started out in photography, there was no autofocus and capturing a sharp photo of a motocross rider in the air would have been nearly impossible without a lot of practice. Now, understanding the different types of autofocus used and what the various autofocus modes are on your camera ensures you get the best results.

Nikon D3 • ISO 400 • 1/2000 sec. • f/4.0 • 70–200mm ...

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