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.

-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