Technical Solutions | D810 TIPS

The D810 in Action: Adventure

Lucas Gilman

Lucas Gilman is one of the leading adventure photographers and filmmakers in the industry. His powerful and incisive images run in top publications and advertisements worldwide. A love of adventure and an addiction to color create his distinct style of photography and filmmaking. Lucas documents subjects ranging from expedition kayaking in India and Costa Rica, to surfing in Brazil to backcountry skiing in Colorado, Alaska and South America. He has covered international events such as the Tour De France, Kentucky Derby, ESPN X-GAMES, IRONMAN®, NFL Playoffs, and Open Water Swimming in Australia.

Shooting moving subjects within a precisely rendered landscape

Shutter speed: 1/2000 second
Aperture: f/4
Focal length: 85mm
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure metering: 3D Color Matrix Metering III
Sensitivity: ISO 800
White balance: Direct sunlight
Picture control: Landscape (default setting)
Image quality: JPEG Large Fine (8-bit)
Focus mode: Manual
AF-area mode:
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
VR: ON
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All settings shown are camera settings during shoot (except Picture Control)

When shooting, I almost always start with the backdrop of an image and then move forward from there. I like to choose backgrounds with a level of richness and detail that complements the action and the athlete that I'm attempting to capture. The D810 and its 36 megapixels allow me to showcase the natural beauty of a setting with unparalleled detail. For detail like this in action sports, I shoot at 1/2000 of a second or faster, and use an aperture between f/4 and f/8. And of course, I use NIKKOR glass exclusively.

Bordered area is trimmed and enlarged

Rendering high resolution in every single frame of 5-fps continuous shooting

Shutter speed: 1/2000 second
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal length: 800mm
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure metering: 3D Color Matrix Metering III
Sensitivity: ISO 400
White balance: Auto 1
Picture control: Standard (default setting)
Image quality: JPEG Large Fine (8-bit)
Focus mode: Continuous-servo AF
AF-area mode: 9-point dynamic-area AF
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR
VR: OFF
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All settings shown are camera settings during shoot (except Picture Control)

I am drawn to the details of the sports I shoot, but moments like this one are not easily repeated. I need to be able to capture as many shots as I can, and with the confidence that the images will be sharp and faithful to what I saw. The D810 is the perfect combination of speed and resolution: 5 fps allows me to capture the decisive moment, and the combination of NIKKOR glass and 36 megapixels assures me that the detail will be there.

Creating dynamic waves using a slow shutter speed in daylight enabled with ISO 64

Shutter speed: 1/10 second
Aperture: f/11
Focal length: 24mm
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure metering: 3D Color Matrix Metering III
Sensitivity: ISO 64
White balance: Auto 1
Picture control: Vivid (default setting)
Image quality: RAW (14-bit)
Focus mode: Single-servo AF
AF-area mode: Single-point AF
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED
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All settings shown are camera settings during shoot (except Picture Control)

Iceland is an incredibly diverse place to shoot, with landscapes and waterscapes like no other place on earth. Its coastlines are rugged, and the surrounding ocean is wild and untamed. To help me capture this, the D810 natively shoots at ISO 64, which gives me the added flexibility. With ISO 64 as standard, I can shoot at slow shutter speeds like 1/10th of a second at f11 and creatively render the ebb and flow of a scene with equal parts stillness and action. Such dynamic capture capabilities help me portray water and all its personalities in the wild.