Focus Issue

[jmeure]

I bought a Canon 40D a little more than a year ago. I have been so frustrated. Many of my pictures are blurry and I'm sure it's me and not the camera. My only concern is that some of these pictures were taken in Auto mode. It seems the camera focus is on a small portion of my subject. In this case it's my son's hair and not his eyes. What could be the issue? I'm using a Tamron 70-300 lens - Thanks for your help

[SmartWombat]

Lots of things could be the issue.
A shutter speed of 1/60 will not freeze motion, so if he moves, it's blurred.
You don't have the centre focus point (the most accurate one) over his eyes as you shoot.
I'm surprised his nose isn't in focus, unless you recomposed after focussing.

I would use 1/250 shutter speed minimum, unless you can get him to freeze.
I would put the centre focus point directly over one eye, half-press the shutter to focus, and then recompose the picture without taking the finger off the shutter, then take the picture.

I'd like to see it larger, I can't tell at this size exactly what is and isn't in sharp focus.
Could you upload a bigger copy to your Gallery?

[reidsprincess20028]

I find 1/200 works the best for me with that lens. I think its a great picture personally!

[jmeure]

I'm working on posting a larger picture...what size do you recommend?

[jmeure]

Larger photo

[Frog]

I suggest using whatever selective focus options the 40D has and spot focus if possible.
Focus on what is important to you and hold shutter half way down to lock that focus position.
Then move camera to compose and depress shutter all the way.
A smaller aperture will give more depth of field.

[cm_mtb]

I haven't used a 40D, but in auto mode on the 20D, the default setting is for the camera to automatically select the focus point(s) from the 9 AF points. I'm not even sure if you can change this, since I never shoot in auto.

If the 40D operates like the 20D, the AF system may be picking the wrong part of the image to focus on. Make sure you are using only one focus point, and, as the others suggested, focus on the eye and recompose while holding the shutter release halfway down. You may have to switch out of auto mode to select a specific AF point; check your manual.

[Sushigaijin]

Looks a little front-focused. His hair is sharp enough. x2 on the suggestion to choose single AF point, focus and recompose. Maybe stop down to F/8 or so.

[byjamesderuvoDHQ]

Another thing you can do is use the flash, even in daytime. it'll make the image "pop" more. But I can understand how you'd want a more natural look. I'd remember to prefocus. press the shutter half way to lock the focus in and then recompose the image and take the picture. And I agree that a faster shutter speed will help.