Digital cameras 101

[Miss_C]

Hey everyone! I've been searching all over the net for some help with my Cyber-shot camera and hope to get some advice here. My problem is that my camera won't focus on the 'subject' of my pictures, or whatever is closest. It will only focus on the background even on a setting of the specific opposite. (Shoot subject with soft background)

Settings:
AF Illuminator - Auto
Grid Line - Off
AF Mode - Single
Digital Zoom - Precision
Conversion Lens - Wide
Auto Orientation - On
Auto Review - On

Any ideas?

EDIT: Some picture examples.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/Mistress_Wish/DSC00762.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w188/Mistress_Wish/DSC00761.jpg

[ShutterbugGail]

Hello Miss_C and welcome to the Q&A forum.

Sorry to hear about the problems. I have a few questions that, when answered, may give more insights into what's going on.

First, when you're shooting close up as you did in the sample photos provided, were you within the minimum focus range for the camera?

Did you switch to macro mode?

Are you zooming in with the digital zoom? If so, the quality of images will be degraded. Shut off the digital zoom and use the optical zoom.

Most macro modes work best when you don't zoom in, particularly with a digital zoom. Shoot at the widest angle and move closer to the subject, rather than zoom.

Are you using a conversion lens? If not, turn off the conversion lens setting.

Try changing some of you settings and see if things improve.

Related reading: Digital zooms
http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/camera-parts/zooms/

[Miss_C]

I've figured out the problem! I didn't have my Macro Mode on! I probably hit the button by accident, and since I didn't even know what Macro Mode was I'd probably never have fixed the problem. I realized my mistake after doing some research to answer your questions.

What a silly mistake, but I'm glad my camera isn't broken. Thanks for your help ^^;

[ShutterbugGail]

So glad it worked out. By way of information, if you're in macro mode, some cameras will shut the mode off when you turn the camera off. So you may have to turn macro mode on for each new session.

Don't forget to switch back to normal shooting mode after you've completed shooting macro.

We have an easy-to-understand article on Macro mode, which you may find helpful:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/macro-close/macro-photography/