even if you have some photography experience — or quite a bit of experience, for that matter — this book has plenty to offer. I provide detailed information about all the camera’s exposure, focus, and color controls, explaining not just what each feature does but why and how to put it to best use.
In short, what you have in your hands is the paperback (or ebook) version of an in-depth photography workshop tailored specifically to your Nikon Z fc.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is organized into several parts, each devoted to a different aspect of using your camera. Although chapters flow in a sequence that’s designed to take you from absolute beginner to experienced user, I’ve also made each chapter as self-standing as possible so that you can explore the topics that interest you in any order you please. Here's a brief preview of what you can find in each part of the book:
Part 1: Fast Track to Super Snaps: Part 1 contains two chapters to help you get up and running. Chapter 1 guides you through initial camera setup, shows you how to view and adjust camera settings, and walks you through the steps of taking your first pictures using the Auto and Self-Portrait Shooting modes. Chapter 2 introduces you to other Shooting modes and also explains such critical picture options as Release mode, Image Size (resolution), Image Quality (JPEG or Raw), and Image Area.
Part 2: Beyond the Basics: Chapters in this part help you unleash the full power of your camera. Chapter 3 provides information that you need to control exposure; Chapter 4 explains how to manipulate focus; and Chapter 5 sorts out color settings. Chapter 6 summarizes techniques explained in earlier chapters, providing a quick-reference guide to the camera settings and shooting strategies that produce the best results for portraits, action shots, landscapes, and close-ups. Chapter 7 shifts gears, moving from still photography to video recording.
Part 3: After the Shot: Chapter 8 explains picture playback features, showing you how to adjust the type of data that appears with a picture, how to magnify an image to get a closer look, and how to quickly find and view photos taken on a particular day. Chapter 9 topics include rating, protecting, and deleting photos, downloading files to your computer, processing Raw files, and resizing pictures for online sharing.
Part 4: The Part of Tens: In famous For Dummies tradition, the book concludes with three top-ten lists containing additional bits of information and advice. Chapter 10 details options for customizing your camera, and Chapter 11 covers the tools found on the camera's Retouch menu. Chapter 12 introduces you to ten other features that may come in handy on occasion, such as creating a slide show and adding copyright information to your files.
Appendix: Intro to Nikon SnapBridge: Nikon SnapBridge is an app that you can install on certain Android and Apple iOS smartphones and tablets. It’s this app that enables you to use the camera’s wireless functions to connect your Z fc to your smart device. After making the connection, you can transfer photos to the device for viewing or easy uploading to social media sites or online photo-storage sites. You also can use the smart device as a wireless remote control. Check out the appendix for an overview of these features.
Glossary: If you’re new to digital photography or to Nikon, the glossary is a handy reference guide to look up terms you might not be familiar with.
Cheat sheet: When you have a minute or two, visit www.dummies.com and enter the name of this book in the search box. You’ll find a link to a cheat sheet, which provides a handy reference to your camera’s buttons, controls, and Shooting modes.
Icons and Other Stuff to Note
If this isn’t your first For Dummies book, you may be familiar with the large, round icons that decorate its margins. If not, here’s your very own icon-decoder ring:
Additionally, replicas of some of your camera’s buttons and onscreen graphics appear in the margins and in some tables. I include these images to provide quick reminders of the appearance of the button or option being discussed.
Where to Go from Here
To wrap up this preamble, I want to stress that if you initially think that digital photography is too confusing or too technical for you, you’re in very good company. Everyone finds this stuff mind-boggling at first. So take it slowly, experimenting with just one or two new camera settings or techniques at first. Then, every time you go on a photo outing, make it a point to add one or two more shooting skills to your repertoire.
I know that it’s hard to believe when you’re just starting out, but it really won’t be long before everything starts to come together. With some time, patience, and practice, you’ll soon wield your camera like a pro, dialing in the necessary settings to capture your creative vision almost instinctively.
So without further ado, I invite you to grab your camera, a cup of whatever it is you prefer to sip while you read, and start exploring the rest of this book. Your Z fc is the perfect partner for your photographic journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to act as your tour guide.
