DoxaVita,
After a while, with practice of course, one just becomes aware that they are in photofocus and trust in their ability.
When it use to come to PF, I was so mechanical at the beginning ... then one day, it hit me, two magic words to help me with my photofocus ... 'soft gaze'.
Meaning there should be no effort and stress. Your eyes are so totally relaxed, no hard focusing and you're feeling like you're in a dream state or daydreaming.
Here the secret to activation ... practice, faith and belief.
How do you know ... trust in yourself, in that your mind will let you know what you need to know.
Your questions will in time turn to answers.
Good Luck.
Michael