Are you tired of blurry or out of focus photos? Perhaps you're used to relying on autofocus to get the job done, but have you ever considered a different approach? One that has been used for almost a century? If you haven't heard of it yet, it's called zone focusing, and it could revolutionize your street photography.
Zone focusing is a technique that works by selecting a range or zone of your focal range to keep in focus. Although it might sound complicated, it's actually a straightforward concept that has been used by photographers for decades. By understanding the technique, you can use it to take stunning photos without relying on autofocus.
To start zone focusing, the best lenses to use are manual lenses, and if you're on a budget, you can get manual vintage lenses. On top of the lens, you'll find all the information you need. The bottom row is the aperture ring, which has all the different f-stops. The middle row is where you can see your focusing zones, with the f-stop numbers starting from the center and moving outwards. The top row is the focus distance, and as you rotate the focus ring, you change the distance that your focal plane is at. This distance will be at the center of your zone of focus, with the corresponding f-numbers below that being at the closest and furthest away area of that zone of focus.
It might sound like a simple principle, but there's a good reason why you should care. If you're used to shooting on a digital camera with modern lenses, especially modern mirrorless lenses, then you'll have probably noticed that a lot of the time, manual focusing is kind of an afterthought. Autofocus has become the default, and in most cases, it does everything you need it to. However, in some street photography scenarios, especially with reactionary close-ups, autofocus can really let you down. This can be because your autofocus doesn't find your subject or you've got a manual autofocus point on a different part of the frame. In these scenarios, you can count on zone focusing because you've already got that range in focus. It doesn't matter how much time you have between raising your camera, pressing the shutter, and getting the shot.
Zone focusing is also a useful skill to develop if you want to shoot some 35-millimeter film or experiment with using vintage lenses on your mirrorless camera. Rather than looking for your viewfinder and trying to land critical focus, if you can set your f-number to a spot where you have a good range in focus, you'll save time when shooting and land more of your images in focus.
If you're excited to start zone focusing, especially with a 35mm camera, slow down for a second. You don't want to start burning through hundreds of pounds worth of film. The best way to start practicing is using a digital camera like a mirrorless or DSLR and then using a lens adapter and your vintage lens. Vintage lenses tend to be affordable, and the adapters cost a few pounds each. This means that you can practice and become familiar with different zones of focusing without worrying about burning through your film.
Zone focusing might sound like a bit of a challenge, but once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature, and you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. Not only will it allow you to take sharper photos, but it will also give you more control over your shots. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised by the results.