Use the right AF mode – be ready for the action!

Verfasst von Markus

Follow & share WildeNatur:

AF-C Modus, Illustration of wild nature with deer, bird, rabbit, trees, and a river in green color scheme

AF Mode – For Moving Subjects: Activate AF-C

If your subject is moving – like animals, people, or vehicles – you need continuous autofocus (AF-C for Sony and Nikon, AI Servo for Canon). This mode continuously adjusts the focus while you half-press the shutter button or use back-button focus. That way, your subject stays sharp even while in motion.

What You Should Avoid

In static mode (AF-S or One-Shot), the focus is locked once and stays on a fixed point. As soon as your subject moves, it will go out of focus – resulting in blurry images. You would have to keep refocusing manually. Let the camera handle that – it does a better job.

The Advantages of AF-C at a Glance

  • Sharp images of moving subjects – perfect for action shots in wildlife photography or video.
  • The focus actively tracks your subject, even during sudden direction changes.
  • Many cameras offer subject recognition: they detect the main subject, like an animal or vehicle, and help keep it in focus.

Remember: For anything that moves, continuous autofocus (AF-C) is essential. It helps you capture motion, speed, and the decisive moment with confidence.

These Photo Tip of the Week might also interest you:

Markus

🇩🇪 Wer schreibt hier:

Servus zusammen,

mein Name ist Markus und seit 2014 widme ich mich der Video- & Fotografie von Naturmotiven. Diese Leidenschaft begann während meiner zahlreichen Reisen durch Japan - von Hokkaido im Norden bis hinunter nach Okinawa im Süden. Diese Erfahrungen haben mich wieder stärker mit der Natur verbunden und auch die WildeNatur vor meiner eigenen Haustür entdecken lassen.

🇺🇸 Who is writing here:
Hello everyone,
My name is Markus, and I've been passionate about video and photography of nature scenes since 2014. This passion started during my many trips across Japan—from the northern reaches of Hokkaido all the way down to Okinawa in the south. These journeys have helped me reconnect with nature and also explore the wild beauty right outside my own front door.

Weiter

Creating Depth in Your Images