Shortcourses-Nikon Coolpix 5700 Photography

A ShortCourse Book
Nikon Coolpix 5700 Photography

Nikon Coolpix 5700 Photography

This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Nikon Coolpix 5700 explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures. This guide is available as a traditional 129 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 5700 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 5700, including the following:

Taking a Picture in Programmed Auto Mode
Selecting a User Set with the FUNC Button
Selecting a User Set from the Menu
Using Menus
Resetting the Menus
Reviewing Images
Managing Your Images
Managing Images You Just Shot
Using Quick Review
Using Thumbnail Playback
Playing Movies
Deleting All or Selected Images
Connecting the Camera to a TV
Displaying a Slide Show
Protecting Images
Hiding and Unhiding Images
Preparing a Print Set
Deleting a Print Set
Selecting an Image Quality
Selecting an Image Size
Using Clear Image Mode
Changing Exposure Modes
Using 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
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
Setting Distance Units
Using Focus Lock
Turning Focus Confirmation On and Off
Turning on Continuous or Single Autofocus Mode
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
Using Noise Reduction
Using Bulb
Changing Maximum Bulb Duration
Zooming the Lens
Using Digital Zoom
Using Lens Converters
Using Auto Flash
Adjusting Flash Power
Combating Red-eye
Using Fill Flash
Using Slow Sync Flash
Turning the Flash Off or On
Taking Macro Close-ups
Increasing Depth of Field in Close-ups
Adjusting Brightness and Contrast
Specifying Image Sharpness
Adjusting Saturation
Using AE Lock
Shooting in Black & White
Using Continuous Photography
Using the Set-up Menu

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 5700

The Nikon 5700—An Overview
Jump Start: Using Programmed Auto Mode
Good Things to Know
When Things Go Wrong
Using the Monitor
Understanding User Settings
Using Dials and Buttons
Using Menus
Managing Your Images—Using Buttons
Managing Your Images—The Playback Menu
Selecting Image Quality and Size

Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure

Understanding Exposure
Choosing Exposure Modes
Using Program and Flexible Program Modes
Using Shutter-Priority Mode
Using Aperture-Priority Mode
Using Manual Mode
How Your Exposure System Works
How Exposure Affects Your Images
When Automatic Exposure Works Well
When to Override Automatic Exposure
How to Override Automatic Exposure
Using Histograms

Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness

Eliminating Camera Movement
Sharpness Isn't Everything
How to Photograph Motion Sharply
Focus and Depth of Field
Focusing Techniques
Controlling Depth of Field
Capturing Maximum Depth of Field
Using Selective Focus
Conveying the Feeling of Motion

Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color

Where Does Color Come From?
White Balance
Color Balance and Time of Day
Sunsets and Sunrises
Weather
Photographing at Night
The Direction of Light
The Quality of Light

Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses

Zoom Lenses
Normal Zoom
Wide-Angle Zoom
Telephoto Zoom
Digital Zoom
Lens Converters
Lens Filters
Portraits with a Zoom Lens
How a Photograph Shows Perspective

Chapter 6
Using Automatic Flash

How Automatic Flash Works
Portraits with Flash
Using Fill Flash
Using Slow Sync Flash
Using Available Light
Using an External Flash

Chapter 7
Exploring Close-up Photography

Macro Mode
Focusing and Depth of Field
Exposures and Backgrounds
Arranging Lighting
Using Flash in Close-ups

Chapter 8
Other Features and Commands

Controlling Brightness and Contrast
Controlling Sharpness and Saturation
Capturing Panoramic Images
Photographing in Black and White
Taking Continuous Photographs and Movies
Using Set-up Menus

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 5700 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 5700 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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