Part II
Mastering Your Tools

Even if you’ve learned the fundamentals and controls of the D800/D800E there is lots of room to learn more and master the features of the camera so you can use them to their fullest. Even if you’re getting great exposures a high percentage of the time, you can fine-tune tonal values and use your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO controls creatively. Your camera’s high performance autofocus system may zero in on your subject in most situations—but you still need to be able to tell the D800 what to focus on, and when. The chapters in this part will help you move your photography to the next level by understanding exposure, mastering the mysteries of autofocus, and using the Nikon D800’s advanced features.

This part of the book contains the core chapters that will help you improve your images by nailing the best exposure, every time; using the (often confusing, sometimes conflicting) features of the camera’s advanced autofocus system and exploring some advanced techniques like trap focus, stacked focus, and in-camera HDR. I’ll also clear up any questions you might have about which lenses are best suited for the D800.

Chapter 4: Nailing the Right Exposure. This chapter explores all your options for fine-tuning exposure with the Nikon D800. You’ll learn when to use—and not use—each of the camera’s metering modes, how to work with histograms, and the rationale for choosing the built-in HDR feature, or whether to capture high dynamic range images “manually.” I’m also going to explode the myth of the 18 percent gray card.

Chapter 5: Mastering the Mysteries of Autofocus. As autofocus features are added, this useful capability often becomes more confusing. I’m going to show you exactly how autofocus works so you can better understand the strengths and limitations of each mode. You’ll discover how to select the mode that will give you tack-sharp focus time after time, and learn how to use fine-tuning (with the included focus chart) to correct lenses with front- and back-focus problems.

Chapter 6: Advanced Techniques. Here you’ll find discussions of some more advanced techniques, including how to make people “invisible” with long exposures, getting the most from the D800’s continuous shooting capabilities, and some clever ways to create multiple exposures.

Chapter 7: Working with Lenses. Whether you call it Lens Lust, Lens Acquisition Syndrome, or simply a particular creative affliction that calls for lenses that are longer, wider, faster, or more versatile, this chapter will help you. Although most D800 owners will already have a good understanding of the lenses available for their camera, I’m going to provide you with my “second opinion,” introduce you to some options you might not have known about, and add in a refresher course to the possibilities that reside in the old DX lenses that ended up in a closet once you switched to FX. I’ve moved all the entry-level “lens basics” discussions to the bonus chapter, Appendix B.