How to capture this kind of photo in sharp focus?

[Fred Kingston]

Thanks, but I use S mode for the shooting. Maybe I can still set aperture in that mode? Never try that before.

No, you can't.

S = Shutter <-- You can control shutter speed. Aperture is auto. Auto = Bad.
A = Aperture <-- You can control Aperture. Speed is Auto. Auto = Bad
P = Program <-- You can change Speed/Aperture within a small range. ISO = Auto. Auto = Bad.
M = Manual <-- You control everything. No auto. (unless you have ISO set to Auto within a range. No Auto = Good.

 

[Fred Kingston]

Try it.

 

[blackstar]

Try it.

Thanks, Fred. I'll certainly try out M mode to gain more control. But sure it will take a long run (trial and error) to figure out each optimum settings for various shooting scenes.

 

[Fred Kingston]

I (and many others) haven't used anything except M mode on Nikon cameras in decades. The only auto mode I use is an infrequent switch from fixed ISO to auto-ISO... and that's even controlled within a tight speed and ISO range. 90% of what I shoot is done from a tripod.

 

[blackstar]

3D (11 points) experiments showing failed focusing area:
The first three shots with stationary objects, the last two (burst) shots with moving object (BF button kept pressed):










Of course, there were some successful focusing shots (focus in single-point or multi-point, mostly static shots) made in the experiment, by no means 3D tracking focus is perfect or close to. (Maybe 11 points are insufficient?)