A ShortCourse Book
Nikon D200 Photography

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.

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


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