Selecting the focus of a photo (not the camera) always achieves better results

Many of you when hearing the use of the word focus will think of focusing your camera, you may not even have heard of the focus of a photo.

But it is true to say that every good photo needs a focus and it is the focus of the photo which we are looking at here.

It has been said that The focal point is an object, not the horizon. It could be a person, a tree, or anything that draws the attention of the viewer.

It has also been said that A well-composed photograph should have visual balance plus a focal point to which our eye is naturally drawn.

The first definition seems to be relying too much on the focus of the camera not the focus of the photo but the second one does hit more precisely on our theme.

DC views takes this a little further, in describing landscapes, and extends the point being made here by discussing other aspects of photography, but this should be very helpful for you.

A well-composed photograph should have visual balance plus a focal point to which our eye is naturally drawn. Often this will be the main subject, such as a person, but with a scenic subject, a focal point is usually included to add scale and give the eye something to hold on to. There are several tools to creating a 3-dimensional feel.
Lead in lines add direction and perspective
to a shot by helping to carry the viewer's eye through the scene. Roads, walls, fences or rivers all make for powerful lines to lead our view. Wide-angles are ideal for emphasizing lines as the way they stretch perspective exaggerates the effect.
The rule of thirds was discovered by painters to create a visual balance. You mentally divide up your image into six sections by drawing vertical and horizontal lines a third of the way in from each corner. Your main subject should then be positioned on one of the four intersection points created by the lines.
Framing a scene can improve composition by hiding distracting details or filling unwanted space. Overhanging branches from a tree or arches and doorways concentrate attention on the subject. Keep both frame and subject in sharp focus by using a small aperture.
Finally break the rules by experimenting. Take a couple of images from several different viewpoints and find out what works best with your subject.

But if you go over the photographs carefully and read what I have written you should start to get the idea of what the focus of a photo is.

To achieve the desired effect you will need to be mindful of background clutter, and of framing, and whether this is useful in achieving your desired effect.

Lighting is always a problem and taking poorly lit photos without the correct lighting falling on the focus of the photo can mean that any real skill in taking the photo is lost.

Of course, you need to be familiar with your own camera and its settings and if you really need a photo no matter what all other considerations fall away, however, it is a good idea to at least be able to see it, but if you want others to take an interest in your work you need to get the focus of a photo firmly sorted out in your mind. That way you will be able to take a real pride in your work.

I do hope you will now have a clearer understanding of what the focus of a photo is and will implement this concept in your photography.

Your comments and/or criticisms would be most welcome.

The images have been randomly drawn from the web with the aim of illustrating this aspect of photography