5. Mastering the Mysteries of Autofocus

Getting the right exposure is one of the foundations of a great photograph, but a lot more goes into a compelling shot than good tonal values. A sharp image, proper white balance, good color, and other factors all can help elevate your image from good to exceptional. One of the most important and, sometimes, the most frustrating aspects of shooting with a highly automated—yet fully adjustable—camera like the 60D is achieving sharp focus. Your camera has lots of AF controls and options—some of them completely new to the Canon lineup—and new users and veterans alike can quickly become confused. In this chapter, I’m going to clear up the mysteries of autofocus and show you exactly how to use your 60D’s AF features to their fullest. I’ll even tell you when to abandon the autofocus system and turn to the ancient art of manual focus, too.