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Nikon Coolpix 880 Photography
This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Nikon Coolpix 880 explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures. This guide is available as a traditional 112 page large-format (8.5 by 11) spiral bound book printed in black and white.
Introduction
New, a Short Courses digital photography book for people who own the Nikon Coolpix 880 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 880, including the following:
- Taking a Picture in Auto Mode
- Using Menus
- Clearing All Settings
- Resetting All Settings
- Previewing Images
- Managing Your Images
- Managing Images You Just Shot
- Using Quick Review
- Selecting an Image Quality
- Selecting an Image Size
- Changing Exposure Modes
- Selecting CSM Modes
- Using Scene Mode
- Using Aperture-Priority Mode
- Using Manual Mode
- Using the Self-timer
- Turning Best Shot Selection On and Off
- Changing Sensitivity
- Increasing the Sharpness of Moving Objects
- Changing the Autofocus Setting
- Turning Focus Confirmation On and Off
- Setting the Focus Mode
- Using Manual Focus
- Setting Distance Units
- Using Focus Lock
- Using AF Area Mode
- Specifying Image Sharpness
- 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
- Changing the Metering Mode
- Using Exposure Compensation
- Using Exposure Lock
- Zooming the Lens
- Using Autoexposure Bracketing
- Turning Histograms On or Off
- Using Histograms
- Adjusting White Balance
- Using Bulb Exposures
- Using Digital Zoom
- Turning Digital Zoom On and Off
- Using Lens Converters
- Using Auto Flash
- 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
- Using Continuous Photography
- Shooting in Black & White
- Turning AE Lock On and Off
- Setting the Display Mode
- Adjusting Monitor Brightness or Hue
- Setting the Sleep Mode Time
- Memorizing Settings
- Formatting CompactFlash Cards
- Setting the Time and Date
- Specifying File Numbering
- Managing Folders
- Choosing an Existing Folder
- Deleting all Images
- Deleting, Protecting, and Hiding Selected Images
- Selecting a Language
- Visually Confirming Shutter Release
- Setting the Video Mode
- Starting a Slide Show
- Hiding Selected Images
- Specifying the Slide Change Interval
- Preparing Print Sets
- Deleting a Print Set
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
Camera Controls and Creativity
The Nikon Coolpix 880 Camera
Jump Start: Using Auto Mode
Good Things to Know
Using Dials and Buttons
Using Menus
Resetting Settings
Managing Your Images
What is a Digital Photograph?
How a Digital Camera Works
Choosing Image Quality and Size
Choosing Exposure Modes
Using Scene Mode
Using A (Aperture-Priority) Mode
Using Manual Mode
Chapter 2
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 3
Controlling Exposure
How Your Meter Works
How Exposure Affects Your Images
When Automatic Exposure Works Well
When to Override Automatic Exposure
How to Override Automatic Exposure
Using Histograms
Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color
Where Does Color Come From?
Color 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
How a Lens Works
Zoom Lenses
Normal Zoom
Wide-Angle Zoom
Telephoto Zoom
Digital Zoom
Lens Accessories
Portraits with a Zoom Lens
Perspective in a Photograph
Chapter 6
Using Automatic Flash
How Automatic Flash Works
Using Fill Flash
Using Slow Sync Flash
Using Available Light
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
Special Features
Controlling Brightness and Contrast
Continuous Photography
Photographing in Black and White
Panoramic Images
Display and Setting Controls
File Management Options
Camera Sights & Sounds
Giving Slide Shows
Preparing Print Sets
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 880 camera are integrated throughout the concepts, appearing in those places where they apply. This integrated approach let's you first understand the concepts of photography and then see step by step how to use the 880 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, however it is summarized in the Appendix of this book.
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