Can't get my camera to focus....

boobiebeads · #1 2006-03-02, 1:26pm

I am pulling my hair out, all I want is a clear shot of all of the beads at once. Am I asking too much. I have attached a pic of how they are turning out. I have not done anything to the pic so it is still yucky but if I can't get it to focus what's the point

. Should I be changing some settings on my camera. I have changed the exposure and light source so that I am happy with the final pic.

Cosmo · #2 2006-03-02, 1:30pm

What kind of camera is it? What settings are you using now? And, how far is the camera from what you are photographing?

boobiebeads · #3 2006-03-02, 1:33pm

Canon PowerShot A70, settings are: Exposure ---0--1, it is one notch past the 0 (how official sounding), lighting is set to Fluorescent (sometimes I use Tungsten too), Drive Mode regular, ISO speed set to AUTO, Vivid is on...does that help?

I am about 4-6 inches away from the beads with maco on.

e. mort · #4 2006-03-02, 1:44pm

Try taking it off macro, or keep it on macro but back away from the work and use the zoom to fill the frame. That should change your depth of field which is what I think your problem is right now. My powershot does the same thing.

Eric

IF-Designs · #5 2006-03-02, 1:45pm

do you have a palce on the camera to set what kind of focusing your using? If your using Spot Focusing only one spot will be truly in focus if you use full screen focusing (cant think of proper term) You will get better results on overall focus of your picture.

I also took your pic into photoshop and sharpened it with the sharpen tool sometimes that helps quite a bit.

boobiebeads · #6 2006-03-02, 1:47pm

I have the full screen focusing thing on...don't know the name either. I will try your suggestions now Eric!

Cosmo · #7 2006-03-02, 1:51pm

I've said it many times, and I'll say it again - macro is the enemy! You get an incredibly low depth of field with macro (which is why only part of your photo is in focus). Set the camera up 8-10 inches away and use the regular setting, and just zoom in.

Also, make sure you focus on the pieces closest to the camera. Then the pieces farther away should be in focus. In yours, it looks like the focus was weighted on the center of the photo.

parisgal · #8 2006-03-02, 1:54pm

You might also want to try more light. You'll notice that one point, right in the middle of your picture is in focus, sharp. But the top and bottom aren't. That's because you've got a short depth of field (focus).

To fix that you can leave the camera on "auto" but add more light -- the camera will choose a larger depth of field.

A more controlled of doing the same thing is to use aperture priority (often "a" on the camera), and set that to a larger number... start at 8 and go up from there.

There's other things you can play with, too...

boobiebeads · #9 2006-03-02, 2:12pm

Chad my camera will absolutely NOT focus unless I use the macro. I have pulled the camera back and zoomed but it has not helped. Maybe more light?? I have 2 100watt daylight bulbs on either side of my tent....this is so frustrating!

parisgal · #10 2006-03-02, 3:07pm

I know that looks like alot of light to use humans... but to a camera, they're so picky!

Do you have other lamps you can add? can you get the bulbs closer to the tent? the jewelry closer to the side of the tent with the most light? a little bit can make a difference.

Or, try changing the ISO from auto to 400. The pictures might be a little grainy, but might not. Depends on your camera, and I've never used yours.

If that doesn't work, you can try going to semi auto settings. Send me a PM if you want me to walk you through it.
Shelby

Cosmo · #11 2006-03-02, 3:27pm

Do you have a manual setting on your camera? So you can focus it yourself?

If not, check to see what part of the viewfinder is used to focus. It may be that the center is used, and if there isn't anything in the center, it won't focus. You may need to aim off to the side so that a bead is in the middle, focus, then aim back to the center to take the picture.

Flamechick · #12 2006-03-02, 3:32pm

I had this problem a couple weeks ago when I was trying to shoot pics for some slides. Make sure your "digital zoom" is turned off in your menu options. This is different than the manual zoom you can adjust on your camera. The digital zoom will focus on the center of the image and magnify other parts and basically mess with your focus. Also, I set my aperture to the maximum amount (F2.9 on my camera) to ensure a sharper image. However, you should probably have your camera on a tripod and use your timer feature if you try that.

Good luck!

Dale M. · #13 2006-03-02, 4:39pm

Another consideration is if some beads are in focus and some are not, its a depth of field problem. As Cosmo says macro may be your enemy because dept of field is very limited. Only fix for depth of field in to have camera exactly parallel to object you want to shoot and then focus is critical, its either all in focus or its not...

IF camera lens and body is at angle to string of beads only about 1/4 to 1/3 of beads will be in range so what ever is outside range is blurry

Try using camera on exact same plane (parallel) to beads when shooting picture.

Dale

boobiebeads · #14 2006-03-02, 6:44pm

I don't have anymore lights in the house. Here is the pic taken parallel. I had to remove my glass as I got the reflextion of moi. I think they are clearer but not fantastic. I do not have manual focus...I think that might be easier.

sislonski · #15 2006-03-21, 8:31am

I had the same problem Michelle, as the boys mentioned, it's the depth of field problem. You either have to increase your depth of field which makes the beads smaller or shoot the pic from straight above and focus in the middle. Making sure you have proper lighting. You'll have to take the Macro off to do this shot and then focus manually.

You should have manual on your camera, everyone does. At least I think.

If you're ever out this way. Drop in and we'll play around. If you want if I come out that way some time I could drop in on you.

shari

Tanner Studios · #16 2006-03-27, 8:38pm

Ok the problem is not depth of field or macro. It is simply the limitions of your lens. AKA camera, And all of the above. Macro is tought even for the pro's., But the trick is finding the sweet spot in the lens. There is a point where you can find a happy medium. Then fix it in photshop. Think about this, your camera is "what" a four mega pixal. whats that a 12 mega byte file. for the web all you need is a fraction of that (80 kilobytes}. What that means to you, is you do not need photogragh in macro mode. You can back off, get your depth of field. Find your sweet spot ( where the beads are as sharp as possible ) and damn the limition of this camera fix it in photoshop.
The last photo you posted is about as good as your going to get with your camera. But your lighting need some work. you don't have any fill light. Go out and buy yourself some foam core or white poster board. Cut to fit under your lens to reflect light back into your shot from the bottom. Don't lose HOPE! there is still alot you can do in photoshop. Check out my tut, Fastest way to beter photography Levels tutorial. You can find it in the Darkroom.
much love
Scott

boobiebeads · #17 2006-03-27, 8:50pm

Thank you to everyone who got involved in my "problem" I feel I have improved my skills. Unfortunately my Photoshop died and now I am trying to learn Corel Photopaint...getting there. Here is a recent shot, of the same beads above....

sislonski · #18 2006-03-27, 11:30pm

Michelle,
Those are awesome pictures.
After re-reading these posts I remembered that a while back I had the same problem. Was pulling my hair out wondering why I couldn't get a good photo anymore. I was freaking!

Then I realized that I had the camera turned to automatic. DUH!!!!

I always use MANUAL but still use the macro and can get a whole set of beads in focus if I want.

shari