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Table of Contents
A Quick Look at What’s Ahead Part I: Fast Track to Super Snaps Part II: Working with Picture Files Part III: Taking Creative Control Part IV: The Part of Tens Icons and Other Stuff to Note eCheat Sheet Practice, Be Patient, and Have Fun!
Part I: Fast Track to Super Snaps Part II: Working with Picture Files Part III: Taking Creative Control Part IV: The Part of Tens
1: Getting the Lay of the Land Getting Comfortable with Your Lens Attaching a lens Removing a lens Setting the focus mode (auto or manual) Zooming in and out Using a VR (Vibration Reduction) lens Adjusting the Viewfinder Focus Working with Memory Cards Exploring External Camera Controls Topside controls Back-of-the-body controls Front-left buttons Front-right features Hidden connections Ordering from Camera Menus Using the guided menus Ordering off the main menus Monitoring Shooting Settings Changing Settings Using the Information Display Displaying Help Screens Customizing Your Camera: Setup Menu Options Restoring Default Settings 2: Choosing Basic Picture Settings Choosing an Exposure Mode Choosing the Release Mode Single Frame and Quiet Shutter Release modes Continuous (burst mode) shooting Self-timer shooting Wireless remote-control modes Adding Flash Enabling flash Setting the Flash mode Choosing the Right Quality Settings Diagnosing quality problems Considering image size: How many pixels are enough? Understanding Image Quality options (JPEG or Raw) My take: Choose JPEG Fine or Raw (NEF) Setting Image Size and Quality 3: Taking Great Pictures, Automatically Setting Up for Automatic Success As Easy As It Gets: Auto and Auto Flash Off Taking Advantage of Scene Modes Getting More Creative with Guide Mode 4: Exploring Live View Photography and Movie Making Using Your Monitor as a Viewfinder Live View safety tips Customizing the Live View display Focusing in Live View Mode Choosing the right focusing pairs Autofocusing in Live View and Movie mode Manual focusing for Live View and movie photography Shooting Still Pictures in Live View Mode Shooting Digital Movies Choosing the video mode (NTSC or PAL) Setting video quality (frame size, frame rate, and bit rate) Controlling audio Manipulating movie exposure Reviewing a few final recording options Recording a movie Screening Your Movies Trimming Movies Saving a Movie Frame as a Still Image
Getting Comfortable with Your Lens Attaching a lens Removing a lens Setting the focus mode (auto or manual) Zooming in and out Using a VR (Vibration Reduction) lens Adjusting the Viewfinder Focus Working with Memory Cards Exploring External Camera Controls Topside controls Back-of-the-body controls Front-left buttons Front-right features Hidden connections Ordering from Camera Menus Using the guided menus Ordering off the main menus Monitoring Shooting Settings Changing Settings Using the Information Display Displaying Help Screens Customizing Your Camera: Setup Menu Options Restoring Default Settings
Attaching a lens Removing a lens Setting the focus mode (auto or manual) Zooming in and out Using a VR (Vibration Reduction) lens
Topside controls Back-of-the-body controls Front-left buttons Front-right features Hidden connections
Using the guided menus Ordering off the main menus
Choosing an Exposure Mode Choosing the Release Mode Single Frame and Quiet Shutter Release modes Continuous (burst mode) shooting Self-timer shooting Wireless remote-control modes Adding Flash Enabling flash Setting the Flash mode Choosing the Right Quality Settings Diagnosing quality problems Considering image size: How many pixels are enough? Understanding Image Quality options (JPEG or Raw) My take: Choose JPEG Fine or Raw (NEF) Setting Image Size and Quality
Single Frame and Quiet Shutter Release modes Continuous (burst mode) shooting Self-timer shooting Wireless remote-control modes
Enabling flash Setting the Flash mode
Diagnosing quality problems Considering image size: How many pixels are enough? Understanding Image Quality options (JPEG or Raw) My take: Choose JPEG Fine or Raw (NEF)
Setting Up for Automatic Success As Easy As It Gets: Auto and Auto Flash Off Taking Advantage of Scene Modes Getting More Creative with Guide Mode
Using Your Monitor as a Viewfinder Live View safety tips Customizing the Live View display Focusing in Live View Mode Choosing the right focusing pairs Autofocusing in Live View and Movie mode Manual focusing for Live View and movie photography Shooting Still Pictures in Live View Mode Shooting Digital Movies Choosing the video mode (NTSC or PAL) Setting video quality (frame size, frame rate, and bit rate) Controlling audio Manipulating movie exposure Reviewing a few final recording options Recording a movie Screening Your Movies Trimming Movies Saving a Movie Frame as a Still Image
Live View safety tips Customizing the Live View display
Choosing the right focusing pairs Autofocusing in Live View and Movie mode Manual focusing for Live View and movie photography
Choosing the video mode (NTSC or PAL) Setting video quality (frame size, frame rate, and bit rate) Controlling audio Manipulating movie exposure Reviewing a few final recording options Recording a movie
5: Playback Mode: Viewing, Erasing, and Protecting Photos Customizing Basic Playback Options Adjusting playback timing Adjusting and disabling instant image review Enabling automatic picture rotation Viewing Images in Playback Mode Viewing multiple images at a time (thumbnails view) Displaying photos in Calendar view Choosing which images to view Zooming in for a closer view Viewing Picture Data File Information mode Highlights display mode RGB Histogram mode Shooting Data display mode GPS Data mode Overview Data mode Deleting Photos and Movies Deleting files one at a time Deleting all photos and movies Deleting a batch of selected files Protecting Photos and Movies Creating a Digital Slide Show Viewing Your Photos and Movies on a Television 6: Downloading, Printing, and Sharing Your Photos Choosing the Right Photo Software Three free photo programs Advanced photo programs Sending Pictures to the Computer Connecting the camera and computer for picture download Starting the transfer process Downloading using ViewNX 2 Processing Raw (NEF) Files Processing Raw images in the camera Processing Raw files in ViewNX 2 Planning for Perfect Prints Check the pixel count before you print Allow for different print proportions Get print and monitor colors in sync Preparing Pictures for E-Mail and Online Sharing Prepping online photos using ViewNX 2 Resizing pictures from the Playback menu
Customizing Basic Playback Options Adjusting playback timing Adjusting and disabling instant image review Enabling automatic picture rotation Viewing Images in Playback Mode Viewing multiple images at a time (thumbnails view) Displaying photos in Calendar view Choosing which images to view Zooming in for a closer view Viewing Picture Data File Information mode Highlights display mode RGB Histogram mode Shooting Data display mode GPS Data mode Overview Data mode Deleting Photos and Movies Deleting files one at a time Deleting all photos and movies Deleting a batch of selected files Protecting Photos and Movies Creating a Digital Slide Show Viewing Your Photos and Movies on a Television
Adjusting playback timing Adjusting and disabling instant image review Enabling automatic picture rotation
Viewing multiple images at a time (thumbnails view) Displaying photos in Calendar view Choosing which images to view Zooming in for a closer view
File Information mode Highlights display mode RGB Histogram mode Shooting Data display mode GPS Data mode Overview Data mode
Deleting files one at a time Deleting all photos and movies Deleting a batch of selected files
Choosing the Right Photo Software Three free photo programs Advanced photo programs Sending Pictures to the Computer Connecting the camera and computer for picture download Starting the transfer process Downloading using ViewNX 2 Processing Raw (NEF) Files Processing Raw images in the camera Processing Raw files in ViewNX 2 Planning for Perfect Prints Check the pixel count before you print Allow for different print proportions Get print and monitor colors in sync Preparing Pictures for E-Mail and Online Sharing Prepping online photos using ViewNX 2 Resizing pictures from the Playback menu
Three free photo programs Advanced photo programs
Connecting the camera and computer for picture download Starting the transfer process Downloading using ViewNX 2
Processing Raw images in the camera Processing Raw files in ViewNX 2
Check the pixel count before you print Allow for different print proportions Get print and monitor colors in sync
Prepping online photos using ViewNX 2 Resizing pictures from the Playback menu
7: Getting Creative with Exposure Introducing the Exposure Trio: Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO Understanding exposure-setting side effects Doing the exposure balancing act Exploring the Advanced Exposure Modes Reading the Meter Setting Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO Adjusting aperture and shutter speed Controlling ISO Choosing an Exposure Metering Mode Sorting Through Your Camera’s Exposure-Correction Tools Applying Exposure Compensation Using autoexposure lock Expanding tonal range with Active D-Lighting Investigating Advanced Flash Options Choosing the right Flash mode Adjusting flash output Controlling flash output manually 8: Manipulating Focus and Color Mastering the Autofocus System Reviewing autofocus basics Understanding the AF-Area mode setting Changing the Focus mode setting Choosing the right autofocus combo Using autofocus lock Focusing Manually Manipulating Depth of Field Controlling Color Correcting colors with white balance Changing the White Balance setting Fine-tuning White Balance settings Creating white balance presets Choosing a Color Space: sRGB versus Adobe RGB Taking a Quick Look at Picture Controls 9: Putting It All Together Recapping Basic Picture Settings Shooting Still Portraits Capturing action Capturing scenic vistas Capturing dynamic close-ups
Introducing the Exposure Trio: Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO Understanding exposure-setting side effects Doing the exposure balancing act Exploring the Advanced Exposure Modes Reading the Meter Setting Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO Adjusting aperture and shutter speed Controlling ISO Choosing an Exposure Metering Mode Sorting Through Your Camera’s Exposure-Correction Tools Applying Exposure Compensation Using autoexposure lock Expanding tonal range with Active D-Lighting Investigating Advanced Flash Options Choosing the right Flash mode Adjusting flash output Controlling flash output manually
Understanding exposure-setting side effects Doing the exposure balancing act
Adjusting aperture and shutter speed Controlling ISO
Applying Exposure Compensation Using autoexposure lock Expanding tonal range with Active D-Lighting
Choosing the right Flash mode Adjusting flash output Controlling flash output manually
Mastering the Autofocus System Reviewing autofocus basics Understanding the AF-Area mode setting Changing the Focus mode setting Choosing the right autofocus combo Using autofocus lock Focusing Manually Manipulating Depth of Field Controlling Color Correcting colors with white balance Changing the White Balance setting Fine-tuning White Balance settings Creating white balance presets Choosing a Color Space: sRGB versus Adobe RGB Taking a Quick Look at Picture Controls
Reviewing autofocus basics Understanding the AF-Area mode setting Changing the Focus mode setting Choosing the right autofocus combo Using autofocus lock
Correcting colors with white balance Changing the White Balance setting Fine-tuning White Balance settings Creating white balance presets
Recapping Basic Picture Settings Shooting Still Portraits Capturing action Capturing scenic vistas Capturing dynamic close-ups
Capturing action Capturing scenic vistas Capturing dynamic close-ups
10: Ten Fun and Practical Retouch Menu Features Applying the Retouch Menu Filters Removing Red-Eye Straightening Tilting Horizon Lines Removing (Or Creating) Lens Distortion Correcting Perspective Cropping (Trimming) Your Photo Shadow Recovery with D-Lighting Boosting Shadows, Contrast, and Saturation Together Two Ways to Make Subtle Color Adjustments Applying digital lens filters Manipulating color balance Creating Monochrome Photos 11: Ten Special-Purpose Features to Explore on a Rainy Day Annotate Your Images Creating Custom Image Folders Changing the Function Button’s Function Customizing the AE-L/AF-L Button Using the Shutter Button to Lock Exposure and Focus Adding a Starburst Effect Creating Color Effects Creating a color outline Producing a color sketch Playing with the Selective Color Filter Softening Focus for a Dreamy Effect Creating a Miniature Effect Combining Two Photos with Image Overlay
Applying the Retouch Menu Filters Removing Red-Eye Straightening Tilting Horizon Lines Removing (Or Creating) Lens Distortion Correcting Perspective Cropping (Trimming) Your Photo Shadow Recovery with D-Lighting Boosting Shadows, Contrast, and Saturation Together Two Ways to Make Subtle Color Adjustments Applying digital lens filters Manipulating color balance Creating Monochrome Photos
Applying digital lens filters Manipulating color balance
Annotate Your Images Creating Custom Image Folders Changing the Function Button’s Function Customizing the AE-L/AF-L Button Using the Shutter Button to Lock Exposure and Focus Adding a Starburst Effect Creating Color Effects Creating a color outline Producing a color sketch Playing with the Selective Color Filter Softening Focus for a Dreamy Effect Creating a Miniature Effect Combining Two Photos with Image Overlay
Creating a color outline Producing a color sketch Playing with the Selective Color Filter