Shortcourses-Nikon Coolpix 4500 Photography

A ShortCourse Book
Nikon Coolpix 4500 Photography

Nikon Coolpix 4500 Photography

This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Nikon Coolpix 4500 explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures. This guide is available as a traditional 132 page large-format (8.5 by 11) spiral bound book printed in black and white, and as a full-color, fully searchable PDF eBook you can order on a CD or download instantly.

Introduction

New, a Short Courses digital photography book for people who own the Nikon 4500 digital camera and want to get better pictures. This beautifully written and illustrated guide, drawing on the much more comprehensive information on the ShortCourses Web site, pulls together answers to the questions you might have about using the Nikon 4500, including the following:

Taking a Picture in Auto Mode
Using Menus
Resetting the Menus
Reviewing Images
Managing Your Images
Using Playback Zoom
Using Thumbnail Playback
Deleting Some or All Images
Turning Disable Delete On and Off
Protecting Images
Displaying a Slide Show
Connecting the Camera to a TV
Hiding and Unhiding Images
Selecting an Image Quality and Size
Changing Shooting Modes
Using Scene Modes
Using Program and Flexible Program Mode
Using Shutter-Priority Mode
Using Aperture-Priority Mode
Using Manual Mode
Changing the Metering Mode
Using Exposure Compensation
Using Exposure Lock
Using Autoexposure Bracketing
Displaying Histograms
Using Histograms
Turning Info.txt On and Off
Using the Self-timer
Using Best Shot Selector
Changing the ISO
Increasing the Sharpness of Moving Objects
Changing the Autofocus Setting
Using AF Area Mode
Using Manual Focus
Using Focus Lock
Turning Focus Confirmation On and Off
Selecting Continuous or Single Autofocus
Using the Infinity Focus Setting
Increasing Depth of Field
Using Focus Lock for Maximum Depth of Field

Using Focus Lock for Minimum Depth of Field
Decreasing Depth of Field in Automatic Mode
Capturing Creative Blur
Setting White Balance
Setting White Balance Preset
Using White Balance Bracketing
Turning Noise Reduction On and Off
Using Bulb
Zooming the Lens
Turning Fixed Aperture On and Off
Setting the Zoom Startup Position
Using Digital Zoom
Turning Digital Zoom Off and On
Using Lens Converters 95
Changing Flash Modes
Changing Speedlight Options
Using Red-eye Mode
Using Anytime Flash Mode
Using Slow Sync Flash Mode
Using Flash Cancel Mode
Taking Macro Close-ups
Increasing Depth of Field in Close-ups
Adjusting Brightness and Contrast
Specifying Image Sharpness
Adjusting Saturation
Taking Panoramas
Attaching a Voice Memo to a Photo
Playing Back a Voice Memo
Using Continuous Photography
Using User Sets
Choosing or Deleting Folders
Using Perspective Control
Creating a Small Pic
Preparing Print Sets
Deleting a Print Set
Using the Set-up Menu
Using AE Lock

The book is designed to work with the www.shortcourses.com site. The book explains how to get better pictures but you'll find more on that subject on the site. In addition, there is lots of information on the site about what you can do with your pictures after you've taken them.

Contents

Chapter 1
Getting Started with your Nikon 4500 ...6

The Nikon 4500—An Overview ...7
Jump Start: Using Auto Mode ...8
Good Things to Know ...9
When Things Go Wrong ...11
Using Dials and Buttons ...12
Using Menus ...14
Managing Your Images—The Basics ...17
Managing Your Images—Using Zoom and Thumbnail Playback ...18
Managing Your Images—Other Features ...19
Giving Slide Shows ...21
Selecting Image Quality and Size ...22

Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure ...29

Understanding Exposure ...31
Understanding Exposure Displays ...32
Choosing Exposure Modes ...33
Using Auto Multi Program Mode ...34
Using Shutter-Priority Mode ...35
Using Aperture-Priority Mode ...37
Using Manual Mode ...39
How Your Exposure System Works ...40
How Exposure Affects Your Images ...43
When Automatic Exposure Works Well ...44
When to Override Automatic Exposure ...45
How to Override Automatic Exposure ...49
Using Histograms ...51

Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness ...55

Eliminating Camera Movement ...56
Sharpness Isn’t Everything ...59
How to Photograph Motion Sharply ...60
Focus and Depth of Field ...62
Focusing Techniques ...64
Controlling Depth of Field ...68
Capturing Maximum Depth of Field ...69
Using Selective Focus ...70
Conveying the Feeling of Motion ...71

Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color ...72

Where Does Color Come From? ...73
White Balance ...74
Color Balance and Time of Day ...76
Sunsets and Sunrises ...77
Weather ...79
Photographing at Night ...81
The Direction of Light ...84
The Quality of Light ...86

Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses ...87

Zoom Lenses ...88
Normal Zoom ...90
Wide-Angle Zoom ...91
Telephoto Zoom ...93
Digital Zoom ...94
Lens Converters ...95
Lens Filters ...96
Portraits with a Zoom Lens ...97
How a Photograph Shows Perspective ...98

Chapter 6
Using Automatic Flash ...99

How Automatic Flash Works ...100
Portraits with Flash ...102
Using Fill Flash ...104
Using Slow Sync Flash ...105
Using Available Light ...106
Using an External Flash ...107

Chapter 7
Exploring Close-up Photography ...108

Macro Mode ...109
Focusing and Depth of Field ...111
Exposures and Backgrounds ...112
Arranging Lighting ...113
Using Flash in Close-ups ...114

Chapter 8
Other Features and Commands...115

Controlling Brightness and Contrast ...116
Controlling Sharpness and Saturation ...117
Capturing Panoramic Images ...118
Adding Voice Memos ...120
Taking Continuous Photographs and Movies ...121
Using User Sets ...122
Using the Playback Menu ...123
Using the Set-up Menu ...127
Using AE Lock ...132

Preface

A great photograph begins when you recognize a great scene or subject. But recognizing a great opportunity isn't enough to capture it; you also have to be prepared. A large part of being prepared involves understanding your camera well enough to capture what you see. Getting you prepared to see and capture great photographs is what this book is all about. It doesn't matter if you are taking pictures for business or pleasure, there's a lot here to help you get better results and more satisfaction from your photography.

To get better, and possibly even great photographs, you need to understand both concepts and procedures; the "whys" and "hows" of photography.

Concepts of photography are the underlying principles that apply regardless of the camera you are using. They include such things as how sharpness and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers. Understanding concepts answers the "why" kinds of questions you might have about photography.
Procedures are those things specific to one kind of camera, and explain step-by-step how you set your camera's controls to capture an image just the way you want to. Understanding procedures gives you the answers to the "how" kinds of questions you might have.

This book is organized around the concepts of digital photography because that's how photographers think. You think about scenes and subjects, highlights and shadows, softness and sharpness, color and tone. The procedures you use with the Nikon Coolpix 4500 camera are integrated throughout the concepts, appearing in those places where they apply. This integrated approach lets you first understand the concepts of photography and then see step by step how to use the Nikon Coolpix 4500 in all kinds of photographic situations.

To get more effective, interesting, and creative photographs, you only need to understand how and when to use a few simple features on your camera such as focus, exposure controls, and flash. If you've previously avoided understanding these features and the profound impact they can have on your images, you'll be pleased to know that you can learn them on a weekend afternoon. You can then spend the rest of your life marveling at how their infinite variety of combinations makes it possible to convey your own personal view of the world. You'll be ready to keep everything in a scene sharp for maximum detail or to blur it all for an impressionistic portrayal. You'll be able to get dramatic close-ups, freeze fast action, create wonderful panoramas, and capture the beauty and wonder of rainbows, sunsets, fireworks, and nighttime scenes.

As you explore your camera, be sure to have fun. There are no "rules" or "best" way to make a picture. Great photographs come from using what you know to experiment and try new approaches. Digital cameras make this especially easy because there are no film costs or delays. Every experiment is free and you see the results immediately so you can learn step by step.

This book assumes you've mastered the mechanics of your camera. It's about getting great pictures, not about installing batteries and connecting your camera to your computer. That information is well presented in the user guides that came with your camera.

Click to order a PDF download of this book for $24.95US. After completing the checkout process, a download link is given on the thank you page and on your e-mail receipt.

Click to order a copy of the printed book for $24.95US.

Click to order a printed copy of the book and a PDF copy on a CD at a special package price of $36.95US.

Click to order a PDF copy of the book on a CD for $19.95US.

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