The Image Taking Process - Nikon D5100 Experience Manual

Nikon D5100 Experience

THE IMAGE TAKING PROCESS

This is a brief step-by-step process of how you may wish to use the controls of your Nikon
D5100 to select the settings and photograph a subject or scene, for general or travel photo use:
1. Turn on the camera.
2. Set Mode Dial to Aperture-Priority Auto Mode (A).
3. Make sure the camera is set to:
Matrix Metering Mode
Auto White Balance
Autofocus Mode: Single-servo AF
AF-Area Mode: Single-point AF
Release Mode: Single Frame (S)
Exposure Compensation 0
4. Make sure the lens is set to A for autofocus.
5. Set the ISO according to the amount of available light. Use ISO 100 or 200 if outdoors
on a sunny day.
6. Hold the viewfinder to your eye and give the Shutter-Release Button a half-press tap to
wake up the camera and start the metering.
7. Turn the Command Dial to select your aperture setting as you view the settings in the
viewfinder. Use a setting of 4.0 for dramatic, shallow depth of field or 16 for deep depth
of field.
8. Verify that the shutter speed selected by the camera is within your desired range. If
necessary, increase the ISO in order to increase the shutter speed that the camera selects.
Or decrease ISO to decrease shutter speed.
9. Use the Multi Selector to choose your desired focus point or the OK Button to select the
center AF point.
10. (Optional: Frame your desired final image in the viewfinder and press the AE-L/AF-L
Button to lock that exposure setting.)
11. Place the selected AF Point over your intended subject and press and hold the Shutter-
Release Button half-way.
12. With the principles of composition in mind, recompose the frame as necessary while still
holding the Shutter-Release Button half-way, then press the Shutter-Release Button all
the way to take the shot.
13. Press the Playback Button and review the image on the rear LCD Monitor. Check the
histogram for proper exposure. Zoom in on the image if desired.
14. When you are done reviewing the histogram and the image, press the Playback Button
again or tap the Shutter-Release Button half-way to turn off the rear LCD Monitor.
15. If adjustment of exposure is necessary, use Exposure Compensation by pressing and
holding the Exposure Compensation Button while turning the Command Dial. Tap the
Shutter-Release Button to begin exposure metering if moving the dial did not change the
Exposure Compensation.
16. Go to step 6 and Repeat.
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