Nikon D800 Quick start guide

Technical Guide

Picture Control Edition

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Using Picture Controls 4

Preset Picture Controls 6

Modifying Existing Picture Controls 8

Modifying Picture Control Parameters: Sample Images ...9

Matching Settings to Your Subject 12

Food.......................................................................................... 12

• Vivid Food Photos........................................................................12

• Translucent Food Photos ..........................................................14

Portraits ................................................................................... 16

• Adding Depth ...............................................................................16

• Brightening Colors in Fill-Flash Photos................................18

• Emphasizing Shadows...............................................................20

• Bright Lights, Healthy Complexion .......................................22

• High-Contrast Black-and-White..............................................24

Interiors.................................................................................... 26

• Softening Highlights ..................................................................26

• Balancing Interior and Exterior Lighting.............................28

• Giving Interiors a Soft, Fuzzy Feel..........................................30

Managing Custom Picture Controls 32

Creating Custom Picture Controls ...................................... 32

Sharing Custom Picture Controls........................................ 34

The Picture Control Utility 36

Creating Custom Picture Controls ..................................... 38

• Level Adjustment.........................................................................40

• Using Custom Tone Curves ......................................................42

Importing and Exporting Custom Picture Controls ........ 44

• Importing Controls to the Picture Control Utility ............44

• Saving Custom Picture Controls to a Memory Card........45

Introduction

This D800/D800E Technical Guide, Picture Control Edition helps

those who have mastered the basic techniques described in

the original D800/D800E Technical Guide progress to the next

level: using image enhancement to elevate mere photographs

into works of art. Taking one such image enhancement tech-

nique—Picture Controls—as an example, this guide shows

how professional photographers using the D800/D800E

choose and adapt settings according to the situation.

Available with compatible cameras and software, the exible,

fully customizable Nikon Picture Control image enhancement

system lets all photographers, from beginners to profession-

als, ne-tune color, exposure, and other settings to create

photographs and movies that better reect their artistic and

creative vision. This guide illustrates how Picture Controls can

be customized on the camera or using the Picture Control

Utility, which lets you preview the eects of even the smallest

change to Picture Control parameters.

Featuring the D800/D800E, which is equipped with a Picture

Control button for quick access to Picture Controls, this guide

shows how Picture Controls can be used to enhance movies

and photographs alike. Experience the exibility of an image

enhancement system that can be adapted to your subject

and creative intent.

One setting changes the look; changing the look creates new worlds.

Using Picture Controls

Users of the D800/D800E can display Picture Control settings

by pressing the L(Z/Q) button. Highlight a Picture Con-

trol and press J.

L(Z/Q) button

Jbutton

Picture Controls can also be ac-

cessed using the Set Picture Control

option in the shooting menu.

Picture Controls

To modify tone, hue, and other pa-

rameters (0

8), highlight a Picture

Control in the Picture Control list and

press 2.

The Manage Picture Control option in the shooting menu can

be used to save the modied controls (0

32) or to copy them to

a memory card for use in other cameras or compatible software

34,

44).

When the L(Z/Q) button is used

to display Picture Controls in live view,

the eects of the highlighted control

can be previewed in the display.

Picture Controls can also be applied

to movies. Match your choice of Pic-

ture Control to your subject for more

vibrant colors or to add atmosphere

by lming in black and white.

Preset Picture Controls

The camera’s preset Picture Controls are described below.

Standard (default)

Description

Description Pictures are processed for balanced sharpness, contrast,

brightness, saturation (vividness), and hue.

Concept

Concept Parameters are tuned for an eﬀect that appeals to most

viewers, regardless of the subject. Vividness is slightly

increased for pictures that can be used “as is”, with no

further processing.

Suggested for

Suggested for Snapshots and other general-purpose pictures.

Neutral

Description

Description Extreme exposure is avoided for clean, natural results.

Concept

Concept Under- and over-exposure are avoided for natural colors

and a rich tone range. Images are softened by keeping

sharpening and contrast low.

Suggested for

Suggested for Photographs that will later be processed or retouched to

create unique images; photos of objects that are mostly

black or white or that have soft outlines.

Vivid

Description

Description Sharpening, contrast, and other settings are enhanced for

vivid, fresh results with good contrast.

Concept

Concept A vivid, photoprint look with heightened sharpening and

contrast that makes the subject stand out.

Suggested for

Suggested for Colorful costumes or street scenes, fresh fruits, ﬂoral

arrangements and anywhere you want to emphasize

bright colors or enhance low-contrast subjects.

Monochrome

Description

Description Pictures are recorded in monochrome.

Concept

Concept Use Filter eﬀects to reproduce the eﬀects of color ﬁlters

when taking pictures in black-and-white, or use Toning

for monochrome pictures in other tints.

Suggested for

Suggested for Portraits, snapshots, landscapes, and any other subject

that can be captured in monochrome.

Portrait

Description

Description Settings are adjusted to enhance the complexion of por-

trait subjects.

Concept

Concept Natural-looking results that brighten and smooth the

complexions of portrait subjects and soften curves.

Sharpening and contrast are reduced slightly for a soft

eﬀect. Background objects and clothing are rendered us-

ing settings similar to the Standard control.

Suggested for

Suggested for Portraits.

Landscape

Description

Description Settings are adjusted to lend vividness and depth to

scenes featuring blue skies and green foliage.

Concept

Concept Mid-tone levels are brought down for a calm, composed

eﬀect, while vividness is restrained for natural-looking re-

sults. Sharpening and contrast are slightly increased.

Suggested for

Suggested for Wooded hills and valleys and other landscapes featuring

blue skies and green foliage, as well as cityscapes and

other scenery.

Modifying Existing Picture Controls

Existing Picture Controls can be modied to suit the scene

or your creative intent. Choose Quick adjust for a balanced

combination of settings or adjust each parameter manually.

1Select a Picture Control.

Highlight a Picture Control

in the Picture Control list and

press 2.

2Adjust settings.

Press 1or 3to highlight set-

tings and press 4or 2to ad-

just. Repeat until all settings

have been adjusted, or select

Quick adjust to choose from

preset combinations. Default

settings can be restored by

pressing the O(Q) button.

3Press J.

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