Face Detection Feature In Digital Cameras

If you have a new compact camera, take a peek at its specifications to see if it offers a face-detection setting. Typically, this option is in a camera’s autofocus (AF) menu. Face detection is particularly handy for candid shots, when you’re working quickly and are therefore more vulnerable to misfocused shots. It’s also a boon for flash photography. With face detection turned on, the flash doesn’t try to illuminate the whole room, just the people within range—cutting down on the nuclear blast effect.

Using Face Detection: With face detection turned on, the camera highlights faces on the LCD screen and then sets the focus and exposure for the subject.

Using the face-detection feature is fairly simple. As you compose your shot, your camera highlights the faces on the LCD screen and then gives you the green light to shoot. If the camera isn’t finding the person in your shot, the problem may be that it can’t see enough of his or her face. Face detection is much more effective when the camera can see both eyes of the subject; its accuracy diminishes greatly with profile shots. Also keep in mind that although face detection is fast, it isn’t instantaneous. For best results, compose your scene and then press the shutter button down halfway to activate face detection—this will give the camera time to adjust its settings appropriately. Once the camera shows that it has identified the subjects in your composition, press the shutter button down the rest of the way to make a perfect exposure.

Face detection is so simple that you may be tempted to leave it on all the time. But as with any setting, it’s not right for every situation. When photographing sporting events and landscapes, for example, you’ll probably get better results by switching to one of your camera’s other focusing settings. I recommend reserving face detection for family gatherings, weddings, and other people-oriented events." [From Macworld]