Shortcourses-Nikon D200 Photography

A ShortCourse Book
Nikon D200 Photography

Nikon D200 Photography

This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Nikon D200 explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures. This guide is available as a traditional 168 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. The eBook also includes links to animations and other resources that bring to life the core concepts of digital photography.

Introducing Animations

The eBook version of this book has 55 interactive animations that illustrate and explain the core concepts of digital photography. Integrated throughout the eBook, these animations help you understand your camera better, and they are also a lot of fun.

To use the animations you need the eBook version of this book and an Internet connection.

Click to explore the light path through an SLR like the D200 then minimize or close the animation window.

Click to see how full color images are created from only three colors then minimize or close the animation window.

Introduction

New, a Short Courses digital photography book for people who want to get better pictures with their Nikon D200 digital camera. 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 D200, including the following:

Taking a Picture in Auto Multi Program Mode
Using Menus
Selecting a Shooting Menu Bank
Captioning a Shooting Menu Bank
Using the Two-Button Reset
Using Menu Reset
Changing Filenames
Creating and Selecting a Folder
Reviewing and Managing Images
Using Thumbnail Playback
Zooming Images
Selecting Playback Folders
Deleting Images
Displaying a Slide Show
Connecting the Camera to a TV
Hiding and Unhiding Images
Changing Image Quality/Size with the QUAL Button
Changing Image Quality/Size with the Menu
Changing JPEG and RAW Compression
Choosing a Shooting Mode
Using Flexible Program Mode
Using Shutter-Priority Auto (S) Mode
Using Long exposure Noise Reduction
Using Aperture-Priority Auto (A) Mode
Using Manual (M) Exposure Mode
Changing the Metering Mode
Using Exposure Compensation
Using Autoexposure Lock
Displaying Histograms
Using Histograms
Using the Self-timer
Changing the ISO with the ISO Button
Changing the ISO with the Menu
Turing High ISO Noise Reduction On and Off

Increasing the Sharpness of Moving Objects
Selecting a Focus Area
Choosing a Focus Mode
Selecting an AF-Area Mode
Using Focus Lock
Increasing Depth of Field
Setting the Hyperfocal Distance
Zone Focusing
Decreasing Depth of Field in Automatic Mode
Conveying Motion
Setting White Balance with the WB Button
Setting White Balance from the Menu
Setting White Balance Preset
Selecting a Color Space
Using Bulb
Entering Non-CPU Lens Data
Mounting a Lens
Unmounting a Lens
Zooming the Lens
Using the Built-in Flash
Using Red-eye Reduction Mode
Using Fill Flash
Using Slow Sync Flash
Using Flash Exposure Compensation
Using FV Lock
Using Image Overlay
Creating Multiple Exposures
Using the Interval Timer
Selecting What to Bracket
Specifying the Number of Shots and Increment
Optimizing Images
Using the Setup Menu
Using the Custom Settings Menu
Using the Playback 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 D200 ...7

The Nikon D200—An Overview ...8
Jump Start—Using Programmed Auto (P) Mode ...9
Good Things to Know ...10
When Things Go Wrong ...12
The Viewfinder, Monitor and Control Panel ...13
Using Dials and Buttons ...14
Using Menus ...17
Understanding Shooting Menu Banks ...19
Restoring Default Settings ...20
Managing Filenames & Folders ...22
Managing Your Images—Using Buttons ...23
Managing Your Images—The Playback Menu ...25
Selecting Image Quality and Size ...28
Selecting a Shooting Mode ...35

Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure ...36

Understanding Exposure ...37
The Shutter Controls Light and Motion ...38
The Aperture Controls Light and Depth of Field ...40
Using Shutter Speed and Aperture Together ...42
Retaining Highlight and Shadow Details ...45
Understanding Exposure Displays ...46
Choosing Exposure Modes ...47
Using Programmed Auto (P) Mode ...48
Using Shutter-Priority Auto (S) Mode ...49
Using Aperture-Priority Auto (A) Mode ...50
Using Manual (M) Exposure Mode ...51
How Your Exposure System Works ...52
When Automatic Exposure Works Well ...55
When to Override Automatic Exposure ...56
How Overriding Autoexposure Works ...60
How to Override Automatic Exposure ...61
Using Histograms ...63
Using the RAW Format ...67

Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness ...71

Eliminating Camera Movement ...72
Sharpness Isn't Everything ...75
How to Photograph Motion Sharply ...76
Focus and Depth of Field ...78
Focusing Techniques ...80
Controlling Depth of Field ...84
Using Deep Depth of Field ...85
Using Shallow Depth of Field ...87
Conveying the Feeling of Motion ...88

Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color ...89

Where Does Color Come From? ...90
White Balance ...91
Color Balance and Time of Day ...95
Sunsets and Sunrises ...96
Weather ...98
Photographing at Night ...100
The Direction of Light ...102
The Quality of Light ...104

Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses ...105

Nikon D200 Lenses ...106
Zoom Lenses ...110
Normal Lenses ...111
Wide-Angle Lenses ...112
Telephoto Lenses ...114
Tilt-Shift Lenses ...116
Macro Lenses ...117
Lens Accessories ...118
Perspective in a Photograph ...119

Chapter 6
Using Automatic Flash ...120

How Flash Works ...121
Using the Built-in Flash ...122
Portraits with Flash ...125
Using Fill Flash ...127
Using Slow Sync Flash ...128
Using Available Light ...129
Controlling Flash Exposures ...130
Using an External Flash ...132
Studio Lighting ...133
Portrait and Product Photography-Introduction ...136
The Main Light ...137
The Fill Light ...138
The Background Light ...139
The Rim Light ...140

Chapter 7
Other Features and Commands ...141

Image Overlay and Multiple Exposure ...142
Interval Timer Photography ...144
Bracketing ...147
Optimizing Images ...149
The Setup Menu ...151
The Custom Settings Menu ...154
Using The Playback Menu ...164
Caring for Your Camera ...166
Notes ...168

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 D200 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 D200 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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