ficarelli

<p>I am not a professional just a hobbyist still learning (actually, learning a LOT here at Photo Net) and my workflow is simple. I use View NX2, Capture NX2, Nik Collection (stand alone) to edit my photos as in a darkroom and sometimes Photoshop Elements 12 to pixel edits and rarely to work with layers with Nik Plugins. I also use ACDSee Pro 6, but just to organize because I don't like Adobe Organizer, personal choice. <br /><br />As I just do a few touch or make B&W conversions and I basically work inside View NX2 and call Capture NX2 and Nik Collection plugin (in stand alone mode) using Open With function, also View NX2 let me make a menu with my favorites plugins. I'm very happy working this way.<br /><br />Well, when Nikon announce Capture NX-D, I tried it and didn't like specially because it would brake my simple workflow.<br /><br />I gave a new try and today I found out that the "Open With" function on NX-D works not only the same way but also let me open NEF edited files with Nik Plugins and Photoshop. Capture NX-D export edit files as TIFF when using "Open With" function, no need to save as TIFF before open with Nik Plugins, the same with Photoshop that don't open Camera Raw. It does the same with Capture NX2, but for me don't make sense to open a TIFF file on NX2.<br /><br />I found out I can keep my workflow replacing View NX2 with Capture NX-D.<br /><br />The only thing is when calling a Nik Plugin from NX2 it saves the file on the same folder you are working in, except to Nik HDR2, you have to use Save As or it will save on My Pictures folder (Windows 8.1). On NX-D it saves on "Place Open With File in" on Preferences, Nik HD2 also save in this folder, no need to Save As. I hope Nikon can give the option to save on Current folder, or a sub folder of the current folder, with no need to edit it.<br /><br />For me looks like NX-D is a good replacement to View NX2 (no Video Edit though), but I not sure as a replacement for Capture NX2, which I like very much.<br /><br />I know that running Nik Collection as Stand Alone is completely different thing that NX2 Control Points, but to be enable to export a NEF, edited with NX-D, strait to a Nik Plugin or Photoshop without ACR is something, at least interesting.<br /><br />PS: Sorry my English, is not my first language.<br /><br /></p>

<p>Lex Jenkins, great articles, thank you to bring us to attention these links.</p>

<p>Maybe this article from Strobist will help you with volume:<br> <a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/07/lighting-102-unit-22-specular-highlight.html" target="blank">http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/07/lighting-102-unit-22-specular-highlight.html</a> <br> and this too:<br> <a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/07/lighting-102-22-specular-discussion.html" target="blank">http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/07/lighting-102-22-specular-discussion.html</a> </p>

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<p>Hi again Brandy,<br> <br />I'm not a expert but I think you can use a flash or a reflector to fill the darker side, metering the brighter side.<br /> </p>

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<p>I have a D3200. Actually I've been playing with it last week. I think will be the same on D3000, you can choose to lock both exposure and focus, focus or exposure, I think that is. I prefer to lock just the exposure and leave the shutter-release button just for focus.<br /> <br />I notice that the camera is measuring all the time, when I find what is need be measured I just press the AF/EL button and then I take care of composing and focusing. By the way I use a couple of manual focus lens where locking exposure is important. It works with flash too.<br /> <br />This is very useful for any kind of photo, where you can measured the right light and don't get fooled. For landscapes for instance, you can make better measure if you measure the right light (like a blue sky) that is not always where the focus will be, or where you will be pointing the camera.<br> For skin is perfect.<br> I fell like I have a real meter separated from the camera. I know is silly, but is how I feel.<br> Important: Just make sure to unlock for the next shot !! You can see a sign in the viewfinder showing that exposure is locked.</p>

<p>Brandy, looking at your pictures I understand that you have a Canon camera. I use Nikon and it has a button in the back that I can program to lock exposure, then you can move to the eyes to focus with the exposure locked. Check your camera if it has the same feature.</p>

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