As a new photographer, getting better at focusing can really make a difference in your photos. Here are some easy exercises that have helped me improve my focus skills:

1. Auto Focus vs. Manual Focus Practice

• Auto Focus: Set your camera to auto focus. Try to follow moving subjects, like a friend walking or a pet running around. Pay attention to how the camera stays focused on things that are moving at different speeds and distances.
• Manual Focus: After you feel good with auto focus, try manual focus. Find something still, like a flower, and adjust the focus until it looks sharp. It can be a bit tricky, but it helps you understand how your camera lens works better.

2. Depth of Field Exploration

• Play around with different apertures. Start with a wide aperture (like f/2.8) to get blurry backgrounds, then switch to a narrow aperture (like f/16) for more detail all around. Check how the focus looks in each photo you take.
• A fun idea is to take pictures of the same scene using different apertures. This way, you can see how the depth of field changes the focus in your images.

3. Focus and Recompose

• Try focusing on your subject first, then move the camera to change the angle or framing without losing that focus. This trick is important for creating well-balanced and nice-looking images.

These exercises have really boosted my confidence in managing focus settings!