Nikon D5500: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Nikon D5500: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Released June 2015
Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
ISBN: 9780134185538

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Book description

The Nikon D5500 is a powerful new camera intended for amateurs to semi-professionals who want to jump into photography with the control and capabilities of a quality DSLR.

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 D5500: 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.

The Nikon D5500 camera features include:
•    24MP DX format CMOS sensor, without OLPF
•    EXPEED 4 processing
•    ISO 100-25600 standard
•    5 fps burst continuous shooting
•    39 point AF system, 9 sensors cross type
•    2016 pixel RGB metering sensor
•    1080p60 video recording, built-in stereo mic
•    1.04M dot 3.2" vari-angle LCD monitor
•    Built-in Wi-Fi
•    The D5500's 24MP sensor lacks an anti-aliasing sensor, giving it an edge in terms of resolution for excellent quality pictures
•    Weighs 14.8 oz

Improvements since the D5300 camera:
•    Touch-sensitive rear LCD, 3.2in full articulation, with menu navigation, pinch zoom, adjust shooting parameters in live mode, 1.04M-dot resolution
•    Deeper hand grip and better ergonomics
•    Redesigned rear command dial and “Lv” live view toggle
•    Video offers full 1080/60p resolution with a new 'flat' Picture control mode designed for post production

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Dedication
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Contents
  6. Introduction
  7. 1. The D5500 Top Ten List
    1. Ten Tips to Make Your Shooting More Productive Right Out of the Box
    2. Poring Over the Camera
      1. Camera Front
      2. Camera Back
    3. Poring Over the Camera
      1. Camera Top
    4. 1. Charge Your Battery
    5. 2. Adjust Your Auto Off Timer Setting
    6. 3. Set Your JPEG Image Quality
    7. 4. Choose Your 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 D5500’s Firmware
    6. Cleaning the Sensor
    7. Using the Right Format: RAW vs. JPEG
      1. So what does RAW have to offer?
      2. Advice for new RAW shooters
      3. Shooting dual formats
    8. Lenses and Focal Lengths
    9. What Is Exposure?
      1. How is exposure calculated?
    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. Auto (Flash Off) Mode
    5. Scene Modes
      1. Portrait
      2. Landscape
      3. Child
      4. Sports
      5. Close-up
      6. Food
      7. Night Portrait
      8. Night Landscape
      9. Party/Indoor
      10. Beach/Snow
      11. Sunset
      12. Dusk/Dawn
      13. Pet Portrait
      14. Candlelight
      15. Blossom
      16. Autumn Colors
    6. Effects Modes
      1. Silhouette
      2. High Key
      3. Low Key
      4. Night Vision
      5. Super Vivid
      6. Pop
      7. Photo Illustration
      8. Toy Camera
      9. Miniature Effect
      10. Selective Color
    7. Why You May Never Want to Use the Auto Scene Modes Again
    8. 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
      1. When to use Program (P) mode instead of the automatic scene modes
    4. S: Shutter Priority Mode
      1. When to use Shutter Priority (S) mode
    5. A: Aperture Priority Mode
      1. When to use Aperture Priority (A) mode
    6. M: Manual Mode
      1. When to use Manual (M) mode
    7. How I Shoot: A Closer Look at the Camera Settings I Use
    8. Chapter 4 Assignments
  11. 5. Moving Targets
    1. Tricks for Shooting Subjects in Motion
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Stop Right There!
      1. Direction of travel
      2. Subject speed
      3. Subject-to-camera distance
    4. Using Shutter Priority (S) Mode to Stop Motion
    5. Using Aperture Priority (A) Mode to Isolate Your Subject
    6. The Auto ISO Sensitivity Control Trick
    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
      1. Panning
      2. Motion blur
    12. Tips for Shooting Action
      1. Give them somewhere to go
      2. Get in front of the action
      3. Shoot in Manual mode to lock in your exposure
    13. Chapter 5 Assignments
  12. 6. Say Cheese!
    1. Settings and Features to Make Great Portraits
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Automatic Portrait Mode
    4. Aperture Priority Mode
      1. Go wide for environmental portraits
    5. Metering Modes for Portraits
    6. 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. Face Detection with Live View
      1. Using Live View’s grid overlay
    11. Using Fill Flash to Reduce Shadows
    12. Portraits on the Move
    13. Tips for Shooting Better Portraits
      1. Avoid the center of the frame
      2. Don’t cut them off at the joint
      3. Use the frame
      4. Sunblock for portraits
      5. Frame the scene
      6. Keep an eye on your background
      7. Give them a healthy glow
      8. More than just a pretty face
      9. Get down on their level
      10. Eliminate space between your subjects
      11. Don’t be afraid to get close
    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. Using Noise Reduction
    6. Selecting a White Balance
    7. Using the Landscape Picture Control
    8. Taming Overexposure with Exposure Compensation
    9. Shooting Beautiful Black and White Landscapes
    10. The Golden Light
    11. Where to Focus
    12. Easier Focusing
    13. Making Water Fluid
    14. Directing the Viewer: A Word About Composition
      1. Rule of thirds
      2. Creating depth
    15. Advanced Techniques to Explore
      1. Shooting panoramas
      2. Shooting high dynamic range (HDR) images
    16. 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
      1. AF-Assist Illuminator
      2. Working without the flash
    7. Shooting Long Exposures
    8. Using the Built-In Flash
      1. Shutter speeds
      2. Metering modes
    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. Advanced Techniques
    1. Impress Your Family and Friends
    2. Poring Over the Picture
    3. Spot Metering for More Exposure Control
      1. Metering for sunrise or sunset
    4. Shooting in Manual Mode
      1. Bulb photography
    5. Avoiding Lens Flare
    6. Using the Sun Creatively
    7. Bracketing Exposures
    8. Macro Photography
    9. Using Active D-Lighting
    10. Interval Timer Shooting
    11. Chapter 9 Assignments
  16. 10. D5500 Video: Beyond the Basics
    1. Video and the D5500
      1. Video quality
      2. Sound
      3. Focusing the camera
    2. It’s All About the Lenses
    3. Accessories for Video
      1. Tripods
      2. Camera stabilizers
      3. Easier LCD vision
      4. Get yourself a Mini-HDMI cable
    4. Getting Shallow Depth of Field
    5. Giving a Different Look to Your Videos
      1. Using picture controls
      2. Using effects modes
      3. White balance
    6. Tips for Better Video
      1. Shoot short clips
      2. Stage your shots
      3. Use Manual focus
      4. Put your camera in a different place
      5. Avoid the quick pan
      6. Use a fast memory card
      7. Turn off the sound
    7. Watching and Editing Your Video
      1. Watching video
      2. Editing video on your camera
      3. Editing video on your computer
      4. Expanding your knowledge
    8. Chapter 10 Assignments
  17. 11. Accessorize
    1. Upgrades and Accessories to Expand Your Camera’s Creative Potential
    2. Filters
      1. Polarizing
      2. Neutral density (ND)
      3. Graduated ND
    3. Tripods
    4. Remote or Cable Release
    5. Macro Photography Accessories
      1. Extension tubes
      2. Close-up filters
    6. Hot-Shoe Flashes
    7. Diffusers
    8. Camera Bags
    9. Bits and Pieces
      1. The lens cloth
      2. The LensPen
      3. Air blowers
      4. A loupe for your LCD
    10. Conclusion
  18. Index
  19. 12. 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 12 Assignments

Product information

  • Title: Nikon D5500: From Snapshots to Great Shots
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: June 2015
  • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
  • ISBN: 9780134185538