Nikon D7000 From Snapshots to Great Shots

This book is for anyone upgrading from their Nikon D90 or current DSLR to the highly anticipated Nikon D7000. There's the manual, of course, as well as competing books, and while they all explain, often in 400+ pages, what the camera can do, none of them shows exactly how to use the camera to create great images! This book has one goal: to teach D7000 owners how to make great shots using their new Nikon camera. Users learn how to use the D7000 to create the type of photos that inspired them to buy the camera in the first place. Everything in the book is in service of creating a great image. Starting with the top ten things users needed to know about the camera, photographer John Batdorff carefully guides readers through the operating features. Owners get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and even end of chapter assignments.

John Batdorff is an award-winning landscape and travel photographer who splits his time between Chicago and Montana. He is a coauthor of Composition: From Snapshots to Great Shots, and his work has been featured in the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole. He loves the outdoors and traveling, and sharing his images with others. See his work and read his popular photography blog at www.batdorffphotography.com.

-Introduction
    Questions and Answers    
-Chapter 1: The D7000 Top Ten List
Ten Tips to Make Your Shooting More Productive Right Out of the Box
Poring Over the Camera
1.    Charge Your Battery
2.    Adjust Your Auto Off Timer Setting
3.    Set Your Image Quality
4.    Turn Off the Auto ISO Setting
5.    Set Your Focus Point and Mode
6.    Set the Correct White Balance
7.    Set Your Color Space
8.    Know How to Override Auto Focus
9.    Review Your Shots
10.    Getting a Feel for the Camera
Chapter 1 Assignments
-Chapter 2: First Things First
    A Few Things to Know and Do Before You Begin Taking Pictures
        Poring Over the Picture
        Poring Over the Picture
        Choosing the Right Memory Card
        Formatting Your Memory Card
        Updating the D7000’s Firmware
        Cleaning the Sensor
        Using the Right Format: Raw vs. JPEG
        Lenses and Focal Lengths
        What is Exposure?
        Motion and Depth of Field
    Chapter 2 Assignments
-Chapter 3: The Auto Modes
    Get Shooting with the Automatic Camera Modes
        Poring Over the Picture
        Poring Over the Picture
        Auto Mode
        Portrait Mode
        Landscape Mode
        Close-Up Mode
        Sports Mode
        Night Portrait Mode
        Child Mode
        Flash Off Mode
        Scene Modes
        Why You May Never Want to Use the Auto Modes Again
    Chapter 3 Assignments
-Chapter 4: The Professional Modes
    Taking Your Photography to the Next level
        Poring Over the Picture
        Poring Over the Picture
        P: Program Mode
        S: Shutter Priority Mode
        A: Aperture Priority Mode
        M: Manual Mode
        How I Shoot: A Closer Look at the Camera Settings I Use
    Chapter 4 Assignments
-Chapter 5: Catch the Action
    How to Shoot When Your Subject is in Motion
        Poring Over the Picture
        Poring Over the Picture
        Aspects to Consider
        Using Shutter Priority Mode (S) to Stop Motion
        Using Aperture Priority Mode (A) to Isolate Your Subject
        The ISO Sensitivity Auto Control Trick
Keep Them in Focus with Continuous-Servo Focus and
AF Focus Point Selection
        Stop and Go with 3D-Tracking AF
        Manual Focus for Anticipated Action
        Keeping Up with the Continuous Shooting Mode
        A Sense of Motion
        Tips for Shooting Action
    Chapter 5 Assignments    
-Chapter 6: Perfect Portraits
Settings and Features to Make Great Portraits
        Poring Over the Picture
        Poring Over the Picture
        Automatic Portrait Mode
        Using Aperture Priority Mode
        Metering Modes for Portraits
        Using the AE-L (Auto Exposure Lock) Feature
        Focus on the Eyes
        Timeless Black and White Portraits
        The Portrait Picture Control for Better Skin Tones
        Detect Faces with Live View
        Use Fill Flash to Reduce Shadows
        Portraits on the Move
        Tips for Shooting Perfect Portraits
    Chapter 6 Assignments
Chapter 7: Landscape Photography
Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Taking Beautiful Landscape Photographs
    Poring Over the Picture
    Poring Over the Picture
    Sharp Focus: Using a Tripod
    Selecting the Proper ISO
    Using Noise Reduction
    Selecting a White Balance
    Using the Landscape Picture Control
    Taming Bright Skies with Exposure Compensation
    Shooting Amazing Black and White Landscapes
    The Golden Light
    Where to Place Your Focus
    Focusing Made Easy
    Smooth Water
    Directing the Viewer’s Eye: A Word About Composition
    Advanced Techniques to Explore
Chapter 7 Assignments
Chapter 8: Low Light in the Spotlight
    Using Low Light Situations to Your Advantage
        Poring Over the Picture
        Poring Over the Picture
        Raising the ISO:  The Simple Solution
        Using Very High ISOs
        Stabilizing the Situation
        Focusing in Low Light
        Shooting Long Exposures
        Using the Built-In Flash
        Compensating for the Flash Exposure
        Reducing Red-Eye
        Rear Curtain Sync
        Flash and Glass
        A Few Words About External Flash
    Chapter 8 Assignments
Chapter 9: Creative Compositions
    Better Photography Starts with Better Composition
        Depth of Field
        Angles
        Point of View    
        Patterns
        Color
        Contrast
        Leading Lines
        Splitting the Frame
        Frames within Frames
    Chapter 9 Assignments
Chapter 10: Lights, Camera, Action!  
    Getting the Most Out Of the D7000’s Video Capabilities
        Live View
        Hold it Steady
        Video Quality
        Sound
        Focusing
        Playback
        Editing
    Chapter 10 Assignments
Chapter 11:  Advanced Techniques
Learn to Photograph Like the Pro’s by Using Advanced Techniques and Building a Complete Kit
        Poring Over the Picture
        Poring Over the Picture
        Spot Meter for More Exposure Control
        Manual Mode
        Lens Flare and Star Bursts
        Bracketing Exposures
HDR: High Dynamic Range
        Macro Photography
        Active D-Lighting
        The My Menu Setting
        Create a Professional Kit
    Conclusion
    Chapter 11 Assignments