Focus More on Focus (page 2)
Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus
Nearly all modern video cameras have options for auto and manual focus. Auto-focus lenses work by finding vertical lines and lining them up. This means it's relatively easy for an auto-focus camera to quickly and accurately focus on something like a line of trees, but very difficult for it to focus on a blank white wall. Auto focus typically also looks for an object in the center of the frame to focus on, which can be difficult if you're composing using the Rule of Thirds (as you should be). For situations like this, manual focus is called for. Manual focus is sometimes more accurate, but it is difficult to do in situations where subject-to-camera distances change.
Focus on the Eyes
Any part of a shot can be out of focus, as long as a person's eyes are in focus. For people who are wearing glasses, it's acceptable to focus on the frame, because it becomes a substitute for the eyes. But rule number one must be "keep the eyes s…
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