DSLR focus mode for Character Photos

[Stormykins]

Hi everyone!

Sorry if this sounds ridiculous, but I am learning my new Nikon D7100 and am looking for some tips for shooting pics of my daughter in Disneyland. Especially her posing with characters. I will have my DSLR in Aperture priority. I usually shoot in single point AF -- will this work, and if so, where should I try to put the focus point (keeping in mind that my daughter is 2.5 and moves around a lot)? Or should I be putting it in dynamic mode? Or 3D tracking? So many choices with this camera!

I'll be using my D7100 with Sigma 17-50mm 2.8. I also have an SB 700 that I could bring if needed.

Any other tips would be much appreciated as this is my first time using this DSLR at Disneyland. We are also likely purchasing the Photopass, but I like taking my own pics and learning my camera as well.

 

[Tigerlulu]

You will want to focus on her eyes. The eye closest to you.

Whether you do that with dynamic focusing or not, that's the gist of it.

You'll just have to be fast with your focusing and composing.

Also, for ease, just wrap a white napkin around your pop up flash. That will diffuse and soften it so it won't be so harsh. Then you won't have to carry around your external.

 

[havoc315]

Hi everyone!

Sorry if this sounds ridiculous, but I am learning my new Nikon D7100 and am looking for some tips for shooting pics of my daughter in Disneyland. Especially her posing with characters. I will have my DSLR in Aperture priority. I usually shoot in single point AF -- will this work, and if so, where should I try to put the focus point (keeping in mind that my daughter is 2.5 and moves around a lot)? Or should I be putting it in dynamic mode? Or 3D tracking? So many choices with this camera!

I'll be using my D7100 with Sigma 17-50mm 2.8. I also have an SB 700 that I could bring if needed.

Any other tips would be much appreciated as this is my first time using this DSLR at Disneyland. We are also likely purchasing the Photopass, but I like taking my own pics and learning my camera as well.

The simplest and most reliable method is focus and re-compose. Center point focus, on your daughters eyes. Lock focus by half-pressing the shutter, and then re-compose the shot.

 

[Stormykins]

Thank you both!