PHOTOS OUT OF FOCUS? HERE'S WHY 

There are scammers pretending to be me and offering prizes via telegram. Stay away and report them! Thanks!

One thing I appreciate about Simon is that he never looks down on crop sensors and always takes it into account when giving tips.

I’m an intermediate-beginner, keeping same status for the last 4 years; throughly discouraged about my lack of progress. Last 3 days I’ve watched 20 videos x 3 of your presentations. I thought you spoke too fast and didn’t give me enough time to write down important points, upset, and so I put down my pen and reclined. Interestingly, I grew in you after first set of 20; soon hooked as your contents so very different from others. I went back and watch all 20 again and again once more, total of 60. By listening to you I grew badly needed excitement, renewed motivation and inspiration. Thank you!!

hey simon! a friend and i recently started getting into photography quite seriously as of late and i just wanted to mention that your videos are absolute lifesavers and contain a bunch of incredibly useful information, all told in a super enjoyable and understandable format. i seriously can’t thank you enough for sharing your secrets and practices with us, it’s just absolutely amazing how much you can teach us in a few short minutes. ever since we started watching you, the quality of our pictures have skyrocketed and people have started recognizing us as “proper” photographers because of it. truth be told we’re just two 17 year olds trying to make the most of our hobbies but your videos and passion towards photography have led us to believe this very well might be something we want to do full-time in the future. we would like to join those many people and express how grateful we are for your work and will to help us out beginners. seriously, thank you so much!!!

What makes your videos great is they are all concise and right down to the point. Thank you

Simon, I think I'm just beginning to appreciate just how much effort you must be putting into your videos. They are always so clear, concise and very well thought out. I feel I've always gained a much clearer understanding of the subjects you cover. I am forever greatful. 🙏

Simon, everytime I'm having a specific issue your videos are reccomended to me and they have ALWAYS come out that day. It's like you're reading my mind

Coming back to photography I find Simon's knowledge and approach via bitesize content has jumped me up the curve rapidly - superb!

The teacher. Clear and concise.

I could never seem to get good photos but I have watched around 50 of your videos and have improved soo much, thanks!

Thanks Simon. Another issue is getting your subject in focus when the subject isn't anywhere near the center or under a focus point. I use single mode, move on to said subject, focus, then reframe the shot. The thing I want in focus is, even though it's off in a corner or such.

One low light trick I use is: If the subject is fairly stable, I crank my shutter speed to a very long exposure which in turn gives the camera enough light to focus. i then bring shutter speed back to where I want it then take the pictures. I am using back button focusing so this means my focus will not change when taking the pics.

Brought my dslr after quite a few years have to learn all over again your videos are so helpful getting me back into it and your from the east coast I’m from Cape Breton

Simon, your videos are pure gold. Just good solid tips to help improve your photography. Thank you.

I like your videos with the succinct narrative.

I had more useful advice that I can use in real life from this channel than all the other photography U-tube channels put together. And these tips are just as useful on my bridge camera as they are on DSLR's Result, better pictures. Thanks Simon, keep the good videos coming.

Words can't explain how much I appreciate your videos. Thank you!!

Slow moving vs fast part. This is great thank you, I had focus set on wide area single shot for everything.

Thanks for finding the names of the focus modes for different camera makes

At last! Somebody with practical tips and no bla bla about which camera is better

You Sir, are absolutely fantastic teacher!! My regards to you!!

Great explanation on improving focus. You’re a natural educator of photography and make it simple to understand.

Thanks again for another video! The sun is shining out here (which makes my m4/3 setup a lot happier), so I'm going to try these things out as soon as possible. Most of the things I knew and/or had heard before, but what I always forget is skill is acquired by doing!

Bless you, this is giving me hope, I'm glad you shared your expertise thank you.

This is the best "How to" channel I have found. That's why I subscribed. The tip a few videos ago about setting an emergency button is the best tip I have ever heard. I do mostly indoor sports but your videos have inspired me to try some birding.

The only thing about this video that was different, is I wish it came out last week. You just explained why some of my shots were slightly out of focus!!! Now I know and know what to do to lower the chances of that happening again!!! Thank you!! Also, I shoot wildlife, landscape, city scape and action photography. I just took some classes on flash and abstract images as those are areas out of my comfort zone. I do this as a hobby, but I will want to try and make the best pictures I can. Thank you for your help!!

fantastic production value on this channel :) another point that's missed by beginner photographers is the af microadjustment. if the focus seems to consistently be too far or too close and everything is done properly, check if your camera offers the option to offset the focusing distance of a particular lens. w/ the camera stable and a measuring tape pointing away from the lens, focus on a particular number, take a photo, focus on some other spot and then focus again on the same number and take another picture. after a few pictures it will become easier to tell how the camera behaves w/ that particular lens by looking at the small lines on the measuring tape, be it mm or 1/16inch...

Buddy, you are one talented guy! Actually seeing the cold breath coming from the birds beak is crazy! Bravo!

Another great educational tip Simon. Thanks so much. Judy

Simon, can I firstly say thank you for your excellent videos. Since switching from my Canon EOS 1DMKII which served me very well for a number of years, I bought a very low use Canon EOS 1DMKVI. I got so used to my MKII and had it set up for my style, I was struggling to be honest in fine tuning this MKIV. Your videos are a wealth of information, but with great explanation. Seeing a particular setting in action makes it very easy to understand. Ironically I had never used the back focus, but after just watching your video about it, I can really see the benefits. Your photographs are testament to your skills and understanding. Something as simple of not changing the focus points from automatic to a single or group has eradicated why my photos were pin sharp on a certain part, but slightly adrift elsewhere in the frame. I am now beginning to really enjoy this new to me camera, and realise just what potential it will give to me.

This is the best video on Focus I have watched. Thank you Simon

Greetings from central Canada. Your site is now my new and best find. Your gentle yet strong voice and teaching style are perfect for guiding new photographers to understand the cameras and gear. Thank you.

Oh man, trying to take photos of deer on my m4/3 that end up focusing on the background or otherwise leaving blurry deer... this video speaks to me.

Wow.... this is one of the best explanations of this topic I've seen. And, your speaking pace is really easy to follow. You're sequencing of the subtopics was really well done too. Thanks!! Have a great week......

Absolutely the best photography I've ever seen!!! Terry Nikon, Sony and now a Fuji Man in Las Vegas, NV

I discovered your channel a few weeks ago. In a short time this channel has become one of my favorites. And I follow many. Your videos are very informative and well presented. And not too long. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience Simon.

As always, thank you for a well-made professional video. Cannot tell you how much I enjoy your videos. A wealth of concise information in a short period of time.

Great video. At first I thought they are too direct, but I really like your delivery style now.

As always, such a detailed, well-produced, and insightful video. Thank you very much sir!

Hi Simon, I enjoyed this show very much. I've learned a couple tricks today, thank you for sharing! I stop by weekly and I always get a lesson! Regards, Joel Tulalip, WA

That's a reasonable simple overview that correctly infers the fact that although modern focus systems act very energetically, they have a mind of their own, which causes problems. For instance the Canon system I am told will always prefer any nearest object if a large array of sensor points are in use, so for a bird in reeds a single point is suggested. d'Entremont works successfully in one of the most challenging areas for focus. By contrast I very often focus a landscape manually, to purposefully get the autofocus out of the way, as it tends to cause more problems than it solves off of a tripod. This means that I don't actually learn a lot about my 5D4 focus system's sophisticated methods of obtaining focus, which I should do and want to do. As I review both video & written learning materials, I find that most trainers tend to teach around their specialty and downplay other methods. For instance the skillful group-trainer Nina Bailey has published some good explanatory manuals for the 5D4, but she dismisses back button focus, which I use exclusively. She also suggests always shooting jpegs as the software process has a huge learning curve. I am the opposite there. So I'd love to see some hours of Simon discussing the Canon focus system in depth, as there are a number of excellent ways to get to a good end. Bells go off when the various paths to success are demonstrated by someone for whom the system poses no mysteries, and who does not tend to say, " best if you just don't use that feature." One point about a sophisticated camera like a 5D4 is that Canon expects it to be used in a certain way, but that way is not stated. For instance the idea that you would meter and focus at the same instant makes no sense to a landscape guy, thus I separate the two by assigning two back buttons. I meter the scene, I focus, frame, and shoot. That is very different than chasing moving birds. I therefore need to know in particular where various setups for focus &/or metering interfere with each other, or override each other, or prevent focus, including touch focus via the LCD. When you generally manually focus landscapes, the autofocus is a bear. One area I'd like Simon to discuss is the utility and pitfalls of holding down back button focus, while racking the focus ring manually instigating focus confirmation in the viewfinder.

I just discovered your RU-vid photography video's. Enjoy watching and learning in your easy to digest format. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and special tips with your audience.

some good points, things I didn't try before

Most Likely the Best Camera Content on the Internet / So Comprehensive Wonderfully Refreshing.

Great content & education for we viewers. My problem with sunsets is usually in unwanted items that can't be removed unless with software. I need to look through your library to see if software for editing is contained within. Thank you again Simon, your information is helpful to me just being an average photographer.

Simon - I'm a frequent watcher of Photography RU-vids Video's, ecspecially wildlife. I'm guessing that over the years I have subscribed to 100-200 and I can say that your videos and channel are at the top of my list. Your topics are perfect and youur explainations are great. So thank you for all you do and I look forward to watching more!!

I have been enjoying all of your tips and I have made great improvements. Thanks

Great advice as always. For nighttime focusing on, for example, a static cityscape pix, I use the camera's LCD screen to manually focus. By zooming in with the LCD screen, and then manually adjusting the lens' focus, I can achieve more accurate focus than the camera's AF. Of course, this only works well for landscape.

I really dig your educational series. You present technical details along with practical advice in an understandable format. Thank you for putting these out.

Learning so much from your videos. Taking a photo trip tomorrow at Chincoteague wildlife refuge. Cannot wait to put your tips into use. Thank you. I will be shooting mainly birds but also the horses and lighthouse. I have a Nikon D850 with 70-300. Also a fixed 500mm f5.6 I started out with a Nikon Z50. Your tips have helped me with both cameras.

I had a problem with out of focus/not sharp photos you have cured this. Many thanks

Brilliant, the tip of focussing on the edge of the subject when contrast is insufficient is so good. Thanks so much.

I am going through photos from a year ago. And I noticed a lot of focus issues in my photos! I recently switched from m4/3s to full frame, and these tips will definitely help me get those great crispy shots!

You are an excellent instructor. Clear and concise. Thank you.

Good video Simon. Well illustrated with photos from the real world. I follow your channel.

Hello Simon! This is a general comment about all your videos. I am very happy to have “stumbled” upon them! I have learned a lot already, and I have been photographing for a very long time. My kids are delighted with the “incredible” photos I just took of their dog. I have Nikon cameras and lenses, but your videos give me the specific concept of the photography issue and then I can look for my specific Nikon details in my manuals. Thank you for the great work!

Thank you Simon for this very important lesson this technique is very useful.

I shoot mostly outdoor; flowers, plants, canyons, mountains, but many times it’s wildlife. I’ll be using these tips for getting those birds in flight. Thank you, as always! I share your channel with all of my photography friends. Why? Well, I get so much from your videos! And, I can’t say your name as well as you do! 😏😉

amazing educational video, Thank you Simon

Hi Simon it is so easy to see why you have over 90K subscribers. Thank you so much for your videos that are so easy to follow and helpful. I do not know what you get out of it but it should be more.

A Very informative and helpful channel. It’s nice to have practical photography tips instead of the usual hardware comparisons. These focus tips are gold. Thank you.

Beautiful stunning shots ❤

Once again, I picked up a new useful tip. Thank you very much for taking the time and making the effort to put out these tutorials.

I recently had my focus point on a squirrel in a tree. Camera focused on the background and I blamed my Z 5 for it because it didn't find it as I kept the focus point on the animal. Your explanation helped me understand why. Next time I'm ready for quick moments by pre focusing on the branch. :)

Brilliant video. Thank you !!

What genre of photography does everyone shoot? I’d like to know so I can keep my content and examples relevant!

There's this little camera maker based out of Japan who never seems to get a mention, Peny, pen, pana... Something?? 😉 Kidding aside, I'm really enjoying all of your videos. I've only discovered your channel a few weeks back. The way you explain things makes it's so clear. I'm working on trying to improve my bird photography and this has been truly some of the most concise info I've found. Thanks.

Great video as always, you da G.O.A.T. Simon!!! I wanted to add another point that took me a few motorsport events to pick up on. At higher apertures a camera will switch from phase to contrast detection. I use a Sony a9 that uses phase till f16, many will switch around f8/f11. I use an ND filter to stay at the sweet spot for my lenses (5.6-11) and keep phase detect for slow shutter pans/harsh light at motorsport events. Having phase available has helped me big time for faster subjects.

You videos have helped me. Thanks you excellent information. I've been practicing with my old Nikon D5100. I've been wondering why I was taking pictures of my cat. I couldn't figure out when he was moving why I was getting slightly blurred so set the shutter speed to 1/1000s but still having problems. Now I watch this and change my settings it better. 👍

Merci et bonne continuation

Great content as usual! One note: mirrorless cameras (as well as cell phone cameras) often have numerous phase detection pixels built right into the image sensor. I think slow contrast based focusing might be reserved for low light AF…

Another great detailed explanation of common problems and tips for reducing or fixing the problem. Great work!

Thanks Simon for Your advice on the focus limiter. I saw it on my lens, but had no idea, what is was good for! You pictures and videos are really amazing!

Pure gold!!!

Fantastic overview Sir. You are the real deal 🔥🔥

Excellent learning Simon, thank you. I generally prefer wildlife, nature and people

Cracking video, Simon. Your presentation is brilliant. Have subscribed. 👍

Great Videos that provide a wealth of information !!!! Thank you !

Thx for another helpful video. Good explanations, good examples and the most important to me as a German. Nice pronunciation 😉

Thank you for your tips - you took beautiful pics - I am a beginner

Simon, you are the "Monet of Photography" - a great artist! Thank you for all the effort you put forth to help beginners like me! I learn so much! Do you offer field training/trips like Mark Smith?

Awsome as always!! So glad I found your channel.

Nice advises as usual. I made better flying birds photos since i apply Auto ISO with manual speed (high speed around 1600) and aperture settings. It is the Tav mode with my Pentax K5 iis. In that mode, the exposure setting is the goal i assign to the Auto Iso.

Can YOU PLEASE MAKE A COURSE with homework assignments, challenges and projects PLEEEAAASSSEEEEEEE!!! I can only imagine the platinum knowledge since your YT chanel is just plain AMAZING.

Excellent video…. Thank you!

Thank you for including Fujifilm this go-around!

Very nice photography and some great tips!

Sir did you just read my mind lately this have been an new issue for me

super beneficial. Simon you are great. I wish to watch your videos comparing mirror and mirrorless cameras soon. Thanks

Thank you sir. You are an amazing instructor.

You are an amazing photographer dear Simon. I have learned so much from you. Please, keep us updated with your great knowledge that always inspires us in photography.

Hi Simon. Thank you for your videos, you explain things very well, my photos have certainly improved since watching your videos. I love taking photos of Birds/Animals and Rugby League. I use a NikonP900 which i love, it may not be the greatest camera around but it was a gift from my daughters and what i use it for, it does the job quite well. I look forward to more of your videos. cheers from Sydney Australia.

Had to stop by for some tips. My Canon R7, which I'm using with a couple of used EF lenses, was taking good pictures at first. Recently, although it seems to be focusing properly, all of the pictures are coming out a little blurry. I've been going nuts trying to chase down the problem. On the plus side, I've gotten to know the camera's menus really, really well. :)

Love your photos. Damn it! I wish I came across your site in 2021 when I spent every single day shooting. I definitely lost some good shots. I'll be watching everything you've put out. Subscribed!

All your vids are soooo under rated ! Should have way more likes and waaay more followers

Thanks Simon for another informative video. I know that it is a headache to give settings information specific to each brand of camera, but it really helps us viewers. I also liked your recent video about transforming your photography, especially the part about the beneficial effects of shooting a different genre. I have one small suggestion. The studio lighting used to film yourself seems a little harsh. I know nothing about studio lighting, but it seems that your main lights are pretty far to the side, rather than front, and not very diffuse.

Merci Simon pour les tips.

Thank you! Great teacher ❤

Your recommendations helps me improve my skills Really appreciate 🙏

Thank you very much for taking the time to post your tips videos. I'm new to bird photography and I'm using the great information you provide to better my bird photos. I'm struggling right now with long distance sharp photos. I may just be pushing the range of my gear. Nikon D500 with Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary.