Focus problems

[sadie2888]

I have a Fuji HS10, I know it's not a DSLR, but I was wondering if anyone knows why sometimes I don't get the faces on my portraits in crisp focus... should I have the "face detection" on? Does that MAKE the camera focus on the faces? I have tried manual and it's still hard for me to see if it's totally in focus. Anyone have any ideas for me?

[SusanH1970]

An example with EXIF would be helpful.

[sadie2888]

here is a photo I took at full zoom of my daughter.. her face is not crisp.. is that normal?

[SusanH1970]

I viewed it large and it appears her face is in focus. Looks more like a lighting issue to me. This was shot in full sun on a bright day, so her hair and everything around her is bright but her face is in the shadows and underexposed.

Try shooting in open shade or much later in the day when the sun is lower in the sky (an hour or two before sunset is ideal). Use a reflector to put some light on her face and in her eyes, and you'll see a big difference. Hope this helps.

[Tito87]

SusanH1970 is right. The face is sharp, but a little underexposed. Try using a reflector or a fill-in light. You can also try shooting 2 hours before sunset or 2 hours after sunrise. Shooting on a cloudy day is also great for portraits.

[sadie2888]

whew!! thanks.. I was afraid there was something wrong with me or the camera.