Nikon D3300: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Nikon D3300: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Released May 2014
Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
ISBN: 9780133854466

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Book description

The Nikon D3300 is a powerful new camera intended for amateurs who want to jump into photography with the control and capabilities of a DSLR. This camera is considered an entry-level DSLR and replaces the Nikon D3200.

While the camera manual explains what the camera can do, it doesn’t show exactly how to use the camera to create great images! That’s where Nikon D3300: From Snapshots to Great Shots comes in. Starting with the top ten things users need to know about the camera, author Rob Sylvan carefully guides readers through the operating features. Readers get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and end of chapter assignments.

From Snapshots to Great Shots is a beautiful how-to photography series that provides the perfect blend of instruction, inspiration, and reference for specific camera models and photography concepts. Featuring a clear, elegant design; outstanding images that educate and inspire; and a friendly, accessible voice, this series helps photographers get great shots every time they pick up their camera.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Contents
  6. Introduction
  7. 1. The D3300 Top Ten List
    1. Ten Tips to Make Your Shooting More Productive Right Out of the Box
    2. Poring Over the Camera
    3. Poring Over the Camera
    4. 1. Charge Your Battery
    5. 2. Adjust Your Auto Off Timer Setting
    6. 3. Set Your JPEG Image Quality
    7. 4. Turn Off the Auto ISO Setting
    8. 5. Set Your Focus Point and Mode
    9. 6. Set the Correct White Balance
    10. 7. Set Your Color Space
    11. 8. Know How to Override Autofocus
    12. 9. Review Your Shots
    13. 10. Hold Your Camera for Proper Shooting
    14. Chapter 1 Assignments
  8. 2. First Things First
    1. A Few Things to Know and Do Before You Begin Taking Pictures
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Choosing the Right Memory Card
    4. Formatting Your Memory Card
    5. Updating the D3300’s Firmware
    6. Cleaning the Sensor
    7. Using the Right Format: RAW vs. JPEG
    8. Lenses and Focal Lengths
    9. What Is Exposure?
    10. Motion and Depth of Field
    11. Chapter 2 Assignments
  9. 3. The Auto Modes
    1. Get Shooting with the Automatic Camera Modes
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Auto Mode
    4. Portrait Mode
    5. Landscape Mode
    6. Child Mode
    7. Sports Mode
    8. Close Up Mode
    9. Night Portrait Mode
    10. Flash Off Mode
    11. Effects Modes
    12. Guide Mode
    13. Why You May Never Want to Use the Auto Modes Again
    14. Chapter 3 Assignments
  10. 4. The Professional Modes
    1. Taking Your Photography to the Next Level
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. P: Program Mode
    4. S: Shutter Priority Mode
    5. A: Aperture Priority Mode
    6. M: Manual Mode
    7. How I Shoot: A Closer Look at the Camera Settings I Use
    8. Chapter 4 Assignments
  11. 5. Moving Target
    1. The Tricks to Shooting Subjects in Motion
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Stop Right There!
    4. Using Shutter Priority (S) Mode to Stop Motion
    5. Using Aperture Priority (A) Mode to Isolate Your Subject
    6. Using Auto ISO the Right Way
    7. Keep Them in Focus with Continuous-Servo Focus and AF Focus Point Selection
    8. Stop and Go with 3D-Tracking AF
    9. Manual Focus for Anticipated Action
    10. Keeping Up with the Continuous Shooting Mode
    11. A Sense of Motion
    12. Tips for Shooting Action
    13. Chapter 5 Assignments
  12. 6. Say Cheese!
    1. Settings and Features to Make Great Portraits
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Using Automatic Portrait Mode
    4. Using Aperture Priority Mode
    5. Metering Modes for Portraits
    6. Using the AE-L (Auto Exposure Lock) Feature
    7. Focusing: The Eyes Have It
    8. Classic Black and White Portraits
    9. The Portrait Picture Control for Better Skin Tones
    10. Detect Faces with Live View
    11. Use Fill Flash for Reducing Shadows
    12. Portraits on the Move
    13. Tips for Shooting Better Portraits
    14. Chapter 6 Assignments
  13. 7. Landscape Photography
    1. Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get the Most Out of Your Landscape Photography
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Sharp and In Focus: Using Tripods
    4. Selecting the Proper ISO
    5. Selecting a White Balance
    6. Using the Landscape Picture Control
    7. Taming Bright Skies with Exposure Compensation
    8. Shooting Beautiful Black and White Landscapes
    9. The Golden Light
    10. Where to Focus
    11. Easier Focusing
    12. Making Water Fluid
    13. Directing the Viewer: A Word About Composition
    14. Advanced Techniques to Explore
    15. Chapter 7 Assignments
  14. 8. Mood Lighting
    1. Shooting When the Lights Get Low
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Raising the ISO: The Simple Solution
    4. Using Very High ISOs
    5. Stabilizing the Situation
    6. Focusing in Low Light
    7. Shooting Long Exposures
    8. Using the Built-in Flash
    9. Compensating for the Flash Exposure
    10. Reducing Red-Eye
    11. Rear Curtain Sync
    12. Flash and Glass
    13. A Few Words About External Flash
    14. Chapter 8 Assignments
  15. 9. Creative Compositions
    1. Improve Your Pictures with Sound Compositional Elements
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Depth of Field
    4. Angles
    5. Point of View
    6. Patterns
    7. Color
    8. Contrast
    9. Leading Lines
    10. Splitting the Frame
    11. Frames within Frames
    12. Chapter 9 Assignments
  16. 10. D3300 Video: Beyond the Basics
    1. Video and the D3300
    2. It’s All About the Lenses
    3. Using Accessories
    4. Getting a Shallow Depth of Field
    5. Giving a Different Look to Your Videos
    6. Tips for Better Video
    7. Watching and Editing Your Video
    8. Expanding Your Knowledge
    9. Chapter 10 Assignments
  17. 11. Advanced Techniques
    1. Impress Your Family and Friends
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Spot Metering for More Exposure Control
    4. Metering for Sunrise or Sunset
    5. Manual Mode
    6. Avoiding Lens Flare
    7. Using the Sun Creatively
    8. Macro Photography
    9. Active D-Lighting
    10. Customizing Your White Balance
    11. Conclusion
    12. Chapter 11 Assignments
  18. Index
  19. 12. Accessorize
    1. Upgrades and Accessories to Expand Your Camera’s Creative Potential
    2. Filters
    3. Tripods
    4. Remote or Cable Releases
    5. Macro Photography Accessories
    6. Hot-Shoe Flashes
    7. Diffusers
    8. Camera Bags
    9. Bits and Pieces

Product information

  • Title: Nikon D3300: From Snapshots to Great Shots
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: May 2014
  • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
  • ISBN: 9780133854466