Technical Guide Picture Control Edition En
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 ..........................................................
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 ......................................................
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 technique—Picture Controls—as an example, this guide shows how professional photographers using the D800/D800E choose and adapt settings according to the situation.
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 Control and press J. L (Z/Q) button J button Picture Controls can also be accessed using the Set Picture Control option in the shooting menu.
Picture Controls To modify tone, hue, and other parameters (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 modified controls (0 32 32) or to copy them to a memory card for use in other cameras or compatible software (0 34 34, 44 44). When the L (Z/Q) button is used to display Picture Controls in live view, the effects of the highlighted control can be previewed in the display.
Preset Picture Controls The camera’s preset Picture Controls are described below. Standard (default) Description Pictures are processed for balanced sharpness, contrast, brightness, saturation (vividness), and hue. 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 Snapshots and other general-purpose pictures.
Monochrome Description Pictures are recorded in monochrome. 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 Portraits, snapshots, landscapes, and any other subject that can be captured in monochrome. Portrait Description Settings are adjusted to enhance the complexion of portrait subjects.
Modifying Existing Picture Controls Existing Picture Controls can be modified to suit the scene or your creative intent. Choose Quick adjust for a balanced combination of settings or adjust each parameter manually. 1 Select a Picture Control. Highlight a Picture Control in the Picture Control list and press 2. 2 Adjust settings. Press 1 or 3 to highlight settings and press 4 or 2 to adjust. Repeat until all settings have been adjusted, or select Quick adjust to choose from preset combinations.
Modifying Picture Control Parameters: Sample Images Quick Adjust Sharpening Contrast Adjust the effect of the selected Picture Control by applying simultaneous adjustments to sharpening, contrast, and saturation. Not available with Neutral, Monochrome, or custom Picture Controls. Quick adjust: –2 Quick adjust: +2 Control the sharpness of outlines. The higher the value, the greater the sharpening. Sharpening: 0 Sharpening: 9 Adjust contrast.
Modifying Existing Picture Controls Brightness Adjust brightness without affecting exposure. Brightness: –1 Brightness: +1 Saturation Control the vividness of colors. Lower values reduce saturation, while higher values increase it. Non-monochrome Picture Controls only Hue Saturation: –3 Saturation: +3 Choose negative values to make reds more purple, blues more green, and greens more yellow, positive values to make reds more orange, greens more blue, and blues more purple.
Modifying Picture Control Parameters: Sample Images Monochrome Picture Controls only Filter effects Simulate the effect of color filters when shooting in monochrome. Toning Filter effect: OFF Filter effect: R Choose a tint for monochrome pictures. Tint: Sepia Tint: Green Hue: The Color Wheel The hue parameter can be visualized as a color wheel. Choosing lower values rotates the wheel counterclockwise, so that the hues at the top of the wheel are replaced by their neighbors to the right.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Choose and modify Picture Controls according to your goals and creative intent. Food Shoot stimulating, delicious-looking pictures of food. Vivid Food Photos Selecting Vivid and adjusting contrast makes the roast and side dishes more vivid and appealing. ■ Lens: AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED ■ Exposure mode: Manual (1⁄60 s, f/11) ■ White balance: Direct sunlight Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2.
The photo on the previous page was taken using the Vivid Picture Control with Contrast set to –1 to make the meat appear less greasy. “Vivid” Versus “Standard” While Standard produces balanced results, Vivid makes the food look freshly served. Quick Tip Greens That Pop Standard Landscape The Landscape Picture Control vividly renders dishes that feature vegetables and other green items.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Translucent Food Photos The Vivid control can be modified for a translucent effect. ■ Lens: AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60 mm f/2.8G ED ■ Exposure mode: Manual (¼ s, f/11) ■ White balance: Direct sunlight Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2. Photo © Noriko Yamaguchi Contrast and brightness raised to make glass appear more transparent. Redness increased to bring out colors in salmon and shrimp.
Food The photo on the previous page was taken using the Vivid Picture Control with Contrast, Brightness, and Saturation set to +1 and Hue to –1 to suppress the blue cast from natural light and bring out the red foods on the plate. The Modified Versus the Unmodified Picture Control Although the results still reflect the photographer’s original intent, under some lighting conditions the picture will have a blue cast that makes red foods appear more subdued.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Portraits Improve your portraits with Picture Controls. Adding Depth A slight increase in sharpening adds depth by heightening the differences between in- and out-of-focus areas. Sharpening increases separation between subject and background. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 50 mm f/1.4G ■ Exposure mode: Manual (1⁄500 s, f/4.5) ■ White balance: Direct sunlight Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2.
Portraits The photo on the previous page was taken using the Portrait Picture Control with Sharpening set to 4. Other parameters are left at default values for a soft effect. The Modified Versus the Unmodified Picture Control Unmodified Picture Control Modified Picture Control The modified Picture Control sharpens outlines in eyelashes, hair, and other fine details, preventing the subject appearing flat and two-dimensional.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Brightening Colors in Fill-Flash Photos When using a fill-flash in daylight, increase Saturation to avoid washed out colors in areas lit by the flash. Sky is a beautiful clear blue. More depth visible in shaded, underexposed areas of turf. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 85 mm f/1.4G ■ Exposure mode: Manual (½50 s, f/14) ■ White balance: Direct sunlight Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2.
Portraits The photo on the previous page was taken using the Portrait Picture Control with Saturation set to +3. Sharpening is left at its default value to suggest motion. The Modified Versus the Unmodified Picture Control Unmodified Picture Control Modified Picture Control The modified Picture Control makes the sky and grass more vivid for a balanced effect that brings the portrait subject to the fore. The blue of the sky was made still more vivid using the Capture NX 2 LCH editor.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Emphasizing Shadows Reducing saturation emphasizes shadows for a still, calm effect in photos taken under low natural light. Increased contrast tightens composition. Reduced saturation produces near-monochrome effect. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 85 mm f/1.4G ■ Exposure mode: Manual (½00 s, f/5.6) ■ White balance: Direct sunlight Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2.
Portraits The photo on the previous page was taken using the Vivid Picture Control with Contrast set to +1, Brightness to –1, and Saturation and Hue to –3 for a tighter overall composition. The Modified Versus the Unmodified Picture Control Unmodified Picture Control Modified Picture Control Where the unmodified Picture Control softens the image, enhancing contrast brings the composition together. It also suggests strength by changing how the viewer interprets the subject’s expression.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Bright Lights, Healthy Complexion Prevent washed-out, flat-looking skin tones for an attractive, healthy look in photos taken under bright studio lights. Red increased for a healthy-looking complexion. Saturation increased to make redder areas a darker pink. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 85 mm f/1.4G ■ Exposure mode: Manual (1⁄100 s, f/8) ■ White balance: Flash Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2.
Portraits The photo on the previous page was taken using the Portrait Picture Control with Sharpening set to 1, Saturation to +1, and Hue to –1. Contrast is left at its default value for a softer look. The Modified Versus the Unmodified Picture Control Unmodified Picture Control Modified Picture Control With Hue set to –1, the modified Picture Control enhances reds for a cute, pop-art look, while reducing sharpening softens the image.
Matching Settings to Your Subject High-Contrast Black-and-White To record photos in both color and black-and-white, shoot using the Neutral Picture Control and then experiment with different tints and filters in Capture NX 2. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 85 mm f/1.4G ■ Exposure mode: Manual (1⁄100 s, f/5.6) ■ White balance: Flash Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2. Photo © Daisuke Kumakiri Subject lit with later conversion to black-and-white in mind.
Portraits The photo on the previous page was taken using the Neutral Picture Control and then converted to black-andwhite Monochrome in Capture NX 2 using the Yellow filter, with Contrast set to +1. Filter Effects Orange Red Filter effects change the look of monochrome pictures, particularly lips and skin tones. Choose a filter with attention to skin tone and the shadows in clothing.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Interiors Create atmosphere with Picture Controls. Softening Highlights Bring out natural colors in roses shot under mixed lighting. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 50 mm f/1.4G ■ Exposure mode: AperturePriority Auto (1⁄50 s, f/5.6) ■ White balance: Incandescent Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2. Photo © Noriko Yamaguchi Settings are adjusted for naturallooking colors: white roses that look white and leaves that look green.
Interiors The picture on the previous page was taken with the Portrait Picture Control, with Contrast set to +1 and Hue to +3, softening the image overall. The Modified Versus the Unmodified Picture Control Unmodified: The Portrait Picture Control enhances highlights, making it a perfect choice for bringing out rich details in a white-colored subject. Here whites and greens have been further enhanced for an effect close to the desired results.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Balancing Interior and Exterior Lighting Heighten the effect of looking through a window by emphasizing the contrast between the window frame and the exterior while simultaneously reducing the effects of the window glass on the colors in the outdoor scene. Tone down mid-tones in the window frame. Adjust hue for natural colors in the sky and buildings. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.
Interiors The picture on the previous page was taken with the Landscape Picture Control, with Contrast set to –2, Brightness to –1, and Hue to –3 to restore natural colors by reducing the effects of the window glass on the sky and buildings in the exterior scene.
Matching Settings to Your Subject Giving Interiors a Soft, Fuzzy Feel Interior photos in catalogs can have a hard, didactic feel. Use Picture Controls to create a soft, warm effect. ■ Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED ■ Exposure mode: Manual (1⁄5 s, f/11) ■ White balance: Auto (Keep warm lighting colors) Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2. Photo © Noriko Yamaguchi Lower hue for warmer colors. Lower contrast and saturation for a softer feel overall.
Interiors The picture on the previous page was taken with the Neutral Picture Control, with Contrast set to –2, Brightness to +1, and Saturation and Hue to –3 for reduced vividness and a calmer feel. The Modified Versus the Unmodified Picture Control Standard: Contrast is heightened for a hard, didactic feel. Modified Picture Control: Contrast and saturation are reduced for a soft, calm effect that conveys the comfort of a lived-in space.
Managing Custom Picture Controls Picture Controls that have been customized to suit your preferences can be saved to the camera under a new name and then copied for use in other cameras or software. Creating Custom Picture Controls Existing Picture Controls can be modified and saved to create custom Picture Controls. 1 Select Manage Picture Control > Save/edit. Highlight Manage Picture Control in the shooting menu and press 2 to display the options shown at right. Highlight Save/edit and press 2.
4 Select a destination. Select a destination for the custom Picture Control (C-1 through C-9) and press 2. 5 Name the custom Picture Control. Enter a name up to 19 characters long. After entering a name, press J to exit to the shooting menu. The new custom Picture Control will be added to the Picture Control list (page 4).
Managing Custom Picture Controls Sharing Custom Picture Controls Custom Picture Controls created on a D800/D800E can be saved to a memory card for use with other cameras. 1 Select Manage Picture Control > Load/save. Highlight Manage Picture Control in the shooting menu and press 2 to display the options shown at right. Highlight Load/save and press 2. 2 Copy a custom Picture Control to the memory card. The options shown at right will be displayed.
Sharing Custom Picture Controls 4 Select Manage Picture Control > Load/save. Highlight Manage Picture Control in the destination camera shooting menu and press 2 to display the options shown at right. Highlight Load/save and press 2. 5 Copy the control. The options shown at right will be displayed. Highlight Copy to camera and press 2 to view a list of the custom Picture Controls on the memory card.
The Picture Control Utility The Picture Control Utility is a computer application used to manage Picture Controls. It also lets you adjust Picture Controls while previewing the effect on a sample image of your choice. The modifications can be saved as custom Picture Controls. Sample image The Picture Control Utility can be launched from ViewNX 2 or Capture NX 2. ViewNX 2 Select File > Launch Picture Control Utility.
Capture NX 2 Open an NEF (RAW) file and select Camera Settings > Picture Control in the “Develop” section of the Edit List, then click the icon and select Launch Picture Control Utility. When launched from Capture NX 2, the Picture Control Utility displays a default sample image; to choose a different image, click Sample Image and select an NEF (RAW) file.
The Picture Control Utility Creating Custom Picture Controls 1 Select a Picture Control. Choose a preset Picture Control or a custom Picture Control imported from the camera or created in Capture NX 2. 2 Adjust settings. Adjust settings as described in “Level Adjustment” (page 40 40) while viewing the effect on the sample image. To abandon any changes and start over from default settings, click Reset.
Creating Custom Picture Controls 3 Save the Picture Control. To save the custom Picture Control under a new name, click New. The dialog at right will be displayed; name the new control (names may be up to 18 characters long) and click OK. The new control will be added to the Picture Control list. To save a custom Picture Control under its existing name, click Overwrite.
The Picture Control Utility Level Adjustment The Picture Control Utility can be used to adjust Picture Control parameters or create custom tone curves. To adjust Picture Control parameters, enter values in the text boxes or select Auto to let the camera adjust the parameter automatically according to the type of scene. Quick Adjust Adjust the effect of the selected Picture Control by applying simultaneous adjustments to sharpening, contrast, and saturation.
Creating Custom Picture Controls Control the vividness of colors. Not available when a monochrome Picture Control is selected. Hue Adjust hue. Not available when a monochrome Picture Control is selected. Filter Effects Choose a filter effect from the menu (monochrome Picture Controls only). Toning Choose a tint from the menu and adjust its saturation with the slider (monochrome Picture Controls only). Custom Edit the custom tone curve to adjust contrast and brightCurve ness.
The Picture Control Utility Using Custom Tone Curves The following picture was taken using a high-contrast custom tone curve created with the Picture Control Utility. ■ Lens: AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/2.8G IF-ED ■ Exposure mode: Manual (1⁄60 s, f/5.6) ■ White balance: Incandescent Note: This photo was shot in 14-bit NEF (RAW) and processed using Capture NX 2. Photo © Noriko Yamaguchi Saturation and hue adjusted for a warmer look. Custom tone curve heightens contrast to make individual seeds stand out.
Creating Custom Picture Controls The photo on the previous page was taken with the Standard Picture Control, using the “S”-shaped custom tone curve shown at right for heightened contrast. In addition, Sharpening was set to Auto, Saturation to +1, and Hue to –1. S-curve: High contrast, food stands out. Default curve Reversed S-curve: Low contrast for a softer look.
The Picture Control Utility Importing and Exporting Custom Picture Controls The Picture Control Utility can be used to import custom Picture Controls created on the camera or to export custom Picture Controls from the computer to the camera memory card. Importing Controls to the Picture Control Utility Custom Picture Controls created on a D800/D800E camera can be imported into the Picture Control Utility.
Importing and Exporting Custom Picture Controls Saving Custom Picture Controls to a Memory Card Follow the steps below to save Custom Picture Controls to a memory card. The card can then be inserted into a camera and the Picture Controls copied as described in Steps 4 and 35. 5 on page 35 1 Insert a memory card in the computer. Insert the card in a computer card slot or in a card reader connected to the computer. Be sure to use only cards that have been formatted in the camera. 2 Click Export.
Credits Food/Interior Photos: Noriko Yamaguchi Born in Tochigi, Noriko Yamaguchi is a graduate of the Photography Department of the Tokyo Polytechnic University, Junior College Department. Her work frequently appears in fashion and travel magazines, where she is known for her unique, translucent compositions. She received the 2nd Tokyo International Photo Biennial prize for her work, “Men of Istanbul”, and the 16th Japan Magazine Photojournalists Association Award for “Street Artists”.
