PLEASE HELP! My camera is constantly doing this...

[robertlbeukema]

I am new to this site as of just tonight but have already learned a lot!

I have been shooting for 5 years now and have never had this problem.

My camera is CONSTANTLY focusing on objects behind what I'm trying to shoot!!! Instead of the model, my camera focused on everything behind the model. It doesn't do this during day time but only at night.

What am I doing wrong ?
What settings should I change ?

I use a Canon Rebel while shooting photography.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ANY ADVICE!!!

[autofocus]

How do you have your focus mode set? If it's set to AI Servo or AI Focus it will allow you to take a shot before focus locks in. If set for OneShot, focus must lock in first before you'll be able to take the shot. If you are in either of the first 2 modes and shooting at night:
1) the camera will have a hard time focusing in the dark and...
2) it will let you take a shot even if focus on the subject has not been established

This may be the cause of your problems, especially that the camera functions OK in daylight

[robertlbeukema]

Originally Posted by autofocus

How do you have your focus mode set? If it's set to AI Servo or AI Focus it will allow you to take a shot before focus locks in. If set for OneShot, focus must lock in first before you'll be able to take the shot. If you are in either of the first 2 modes and shooting at night:
1) the camera will have a hard time focusing in the dark and...
2) it will let you take a shot even if focus on the subject has not been established

This may be the cause of your problems, especially that the camera functions OK in daylight

This is GREAT!!

I remember switching the settings before shooting on top of the HARDROCK last night as it was getting much darker outside.

So what settings would you suggest while shooting at night with just the camera and no external flash ? As you can see, Im not going for anything professional but just a few decent FACEBOOK shots.

Thanks again for the prior comments! Ive got my camera out now reading up on the new info!

Like below....

[Kyle]

First off if you could embed the photos instead of uploading them it would be easier to view, because this site has a buggy uploader.

As far as the photo, I think it would be a lot better if you just turned the flash off and light it with just a simple lamp on camera right. Without the flash the camera will want to use a longer shutter speed (making it blurry if you handhold it) so lock it down on a tripod or put it on a stable surface.

[robertlbeukema]

Originally Posted by Kyle

First off if you could embed the photos instead of uploading them it would be easier to view, because this site has a buggy uploader.

As far as the photo, I think it would be a lot better if you just turned the flash off and light it with just a simple lamp on camera right. Without the flash the camera will want to use a longer shutter speed (making it blurry if you handhold it) so lock it down on a tripod or put it on a stable surface.

This is what I'm going for.
Simple and good for her to share on Facebook.

Now lets say I DID NOT have lights on top of the Hard Rock here in Tampa but instead just my camera and its crappy flash.

If Im shooting in TV MODE, what would you suggest I use in the other settings?

[TBrown00]

Originally Posted by robertlbeukema

If Im shooting in TV MODE, what would you suggest I use in the other settings?

I would shoot in either Av or M mode to be able to control depth of field. If you shoot in Av mode, set the aperture to the desired value to achieve the DOF you're looking for and then check to make sure the shutter speed will be fast enough. If it's too slow, raise the ISO. I would set the focus mode to single focus - not AI servo (I think autofocus said it's called OneShot)

Also, have you tried setting the camera to single point AF and choosing the sensor over your model's eyes? It sounds like its either on single point AF and a point somewhere else in the frame is selected or its on Auto Area AF (not sure what it's called on Canon but this is where the camera chooses the AF point and not you).

[Kyle]

Actually on that second shot it would be really cool to see a 2 second or above shutter speed, then the ferris wheel would leave light trails and look like a circle of light. But for this you have to have your camera and model perfectly still for two seconds.

If you didn't want something coplicated like that I would just shoot on Av mode and bring the aperture to the lowest number you could. don't use the flash