WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

Super glue in manual, DUH, don't tell him that

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Glad someone mentioned em before I got here lol. Tabs ya average Vulcan would be proud of. Before you learn your cameras finer points suggest you stop picking up your kids by their ears!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Beautiful shots! Unlike MtnMan, I set my cameras to take a picture when I push the button, regardless of focus. Sometimes it's better to get something, rather than nothing. I want sharp focus, of course, but I also want a picture. As others have said, a single center focus point can make focusing easier - at least for me. Auto focus looks at the closest object and focuses on that. For fast moving kids, using a higher shutter speed will help. Ordinarily, I use Aperture mode.

Here's a link to an excellent video on the D7200.

https://www.creativelive.com/courses/nikon-d7100-dslr-fast-start-john-greengo?via=site-header_0

I use Lightroom for most processing. I have stand-alone Version 6. The alternative is to pay Adobe $10/month - not in my financial plan.

Processing software -

http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/03/23/best-photo-editing-software-photoshop-cc-and-7-photoshop-alternatives-tested/1/
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list/

Free software -

http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/the-best-photoshop-alternatives-that-are-totally-free-5974500
http://lightzoneproject.org/

glenmarshall

I subscribe to MS Office 365, which comes with a terabyte of cloud storage. I also use Lightroom (subscribe to Adobe photographer's package) and put the photos and Lightroom catalog in my MS OneDrive folder, making cloud backup automatic. Total cost is $200/yr.

My D7200 use varies. Often on Auto for family snapshots, with simple post-processing in Lightroom decomposition & tone adjustment. I use the other modes depending on what I'm shooting. M is when I'm on a tripod and have the time & patience to compose in-camera. A is for times when I want consistent depth of field. S is for times when I want to capture action, often at a high shutter speed. Of the two auto modes, I most often use the one that keeps the flash off. I typically set the ISO to 100, but will increase it to handle lower light or capture high shutter speed (S mode) action. There are many other possible combinations, Sri do get the D7200 book for reference.

Good photography takes practice. Shoot lots of pictures. Throw out the ones you don't like. Learn to use Lightroom and Photoshop. Shoot more.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Okay till #6.

pistolpete

I dunno folks, these photos don't look as sharp as they should be for the D7200. Hoping he doesn't have one of the rare units that has front focuse/back focuses and needs readjustment by Nikon. I agree with other posters to use "Auto" for shots involving kids even though ISO might get pushed beyond where most of us would like to go. Also agree with AF-S setting with focal point dead smack in the middle. I leave my setting to take the shot whether in focus or not and then just use manual over ride when lens can't handle the ambient light and keeps searching for focus. I use an iPad Pro to adjust the light and other settings of my jpegs so the ones that come out slightly over/under exposed are fixed (I don't shoot RAW) like some of you advanced folk.

WessoJPEG Loc: Cincinnati, Ohio

You don't need raw if you know what you are doing. Why pay for Light Room, blah, blah, spend all your time on a PC.

Firewife-Momof5 Loc: Miami,Fl

I kind of thought the same. It's a refurbished d7200 so I want to make sure it works properly or perhaps maybe my actual settings are off. But then again I am not a professional

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Great pictures and beautiful kids. "Understanding Exposure " is a great read by Bryan Peterson it is simply stated and very informative. Good luck with your new 7200 it is a great camera

Joe

whitewolfowner

By your questions, sounds like to me that you need to get some books on the basics of photography and start learning. Then if you have specific questions bring them here.

ABJanes Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia

I would suggest trying Mac OS 'Photos' for easy to use adjustments i.e. brighten/lighten, sharpen, adjust white balance, color, crop

Firewife-Momof5 Loc: Miami,Fl

Thank you Joe

earl_house Loc: Tulsa County, Oklahoma

I have a D7100 and a D750. The scene mode set to child works pretty well on both of these camera's. It uses a higher shutter speed then auto mode to freeze movement of kids.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have a D7000 and primarily use Program mode and Matrix metering. Works well for snapshots.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Having used a DSLR for several years gives you a good start, since shooting in Automatic lets you concentrate on composition. My first digital was a point and shoot without many adjustable options. When I bought my first DSLR, Nikon D7000, I decided that I needed to learn to use it in other modes. I started with Aperture-Priority and Matrix metering. Nothing fancy. I also experimented with Shutter-Priority. The A setting worked for quite a while, but eventually I felt the need to have full control over the image creation. So I set out to learn to use Manual. A lot of discussion has occurred over what is the best mode to use, but really it depends on the situation. Just like there are different spoons that work best for different purposes - they will all do basically the same thing, but some do it better than others! But you will learn all of this gradually.

First thing is to read the camera manual at least twice. Then keep it handy for reference. Many do not like the manual, and that is understandable. It often reads like a translation from a foreign language by someone who is not familiar with how to make things clear in English! (Wonder why...) I noticed in the manual for my new camera that this issue is much improved. But the bottom line is that the information you need IS in there! You won't understand it all at once, but over time, and with some experimentation as well as asking questions. Learning the functions available on your camera and how to use them well is first priority.

There are a lot of resources out there for additional instruction, just have to find them. When you get a suggestion for something to read, try your local library first, rather than going out and buying it. If they do not have some of the books suggested, they may be able to get them for you from another library in their system. Online there are websites like KelbyOne (Scott Kelby also writes good books) and CreativeLive, where you can view videos on different aspects of photography. KelbyOne is a subscription site, for an annual fee. CreativeLive is free to join, they have a lot of free broadcasts on a lot of different topics, and if you wish to view any of those again, you can purchase the right to view it at any time and at your own pace. Both sites use very good instructors and the topics are useful and well-presented. Many of those photographers/instructors also have their own websites and tutorials available! When you see a photographer whose work you like, look for a website - not all of them offer free tutorials, but many offer a mixture of free and paid.

For editing programs, the Adobe CC subscription is generally considered by many to be the gold standard ($9.99/month). LR and PS are included, and you will always have the most current updated version. You can get a 30-day free trial of each of them separately which lets you both use them and decide if you like them. http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/catalog/desktop.html?promoid=NQCJRCJ2&mv=other Learning curve is there, but for LR it is not that difficult. For PS the curve is steeper, but it is such a great supplement to LR that it is worth the effort. A lot of other good programs are available, the choice is up to you.

Hope this helps. Have fun!

Susan