Chapter 1
Getting Started with your Nikon D50 ...7
The Nikon D50—An Overview ...8
Jump Start—Using Auto Mode ...9
Good Things to Know ...10
When Things Go Wrong ...12
Using Dials and Buttons ...13
Using Menus ...15
Restoring Default Settings ...17
Using Image Review and Playback Mode ...18
Using the Playback Menu ...20
Selecting Image Quality and Size ...22
Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure ...28
Understanding Exposure ...29
Understanding Exposure Displays ...34
Choosing Shooting Modes ...35
Using Digital Vari-program Modes ...36
Using Programmed Auto (P) Mode ...37
Using Shutter-Priority Auto (S) Mode ...38
Using Aperture-Priority Auto (A) Mode ...40
Using Manual (M) Mode ...42
How Your Exposure System Works ...43
How Exposure Affects Your Images ...46
When Automatic Exposure Works Well ...47
When to Override Automatic Exposure ...48
How to Override Automatic Exposure ...52
Using Histograms ...54
Using the RAW Format ...58
Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness ...62
Eliminating Camera Movement ...63
Sharpness Isn't Everything ...66
How to Photograph Motion Sharply ...67
Focus and Depth of Field ...69
Focusing Techniques ...71
Controlling Depth of Field ...75
Capturing Maximum Depth of Field ...76
Using Selective Focus ...78
Conveying the Feeling of Motion ...79
Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color ...80
Where Does Color Come From? ...81
White Balance ...82
Color Balance and Time of Day ...85
Sunsets and Sunrises ...86
Weather ...88
Photographing at Night ...90
The Direction of Light ...92
The Quality of Light ...94
Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses ...95
Nikon D50 Lenses ...96
Zoom Lenses ...100
Normal Lenses ...101
Wide-Angle Lenses ...102
Telephoto Lenses ...104
Tilt-Shift Lenses ...106
Macro Lenses ...107
Lens Accessories ...108
How a Photograph Shows Depth ...109
Chapter 6
Using Flash and Studio Lighting ...110
How Automatic Flash Works ...111
Selecting a Flash Mode ...115
Portraits with Flash ...116
Using Fill Flash ...118
Using Slow Sync Flash ...119
Using Available Light ...120
Controlling Flash Exposures ...121
Using an External Flash ...122
Studio Lighting ...123
Studio Portrait Lighting ...126
Chapter 7
Other Features and Commands ...127
Shooting Continuously ...128
Bracketing Exposure, Flash and White Balance ...129
Optimizing Images ...131
Optimizing Images—Custom Settings ...132
Using The Setup Menu ...134
Using The Custom Settings Menu ...139
Using The Playback Menu, con't ....144
Nikon Software ...146
Caring for Your Camera ...147