Post camera editing in camera
The Nikon D3100 is a camera aimed at beginners, so basic in-camera editing tools are included. These tools save the user from needing to use post-capture photo-editing software. For the more advanced photographer they are also useful tools for checking what effects they are likely to use on photos between the photo shoot and sitting at the computer screen. There is a vast array of effects, and while in-camera editing has been around for a while, several new features have been included in the D3100. When used with subtlety, generally pleasing results can be produced.
While many of Nikon’s latest releases, such as the P7000 and D7000, have an electronic virtual horizon (deployed using Live View) to help you shoot straight, this is not included in the D3100. Instead, included in post capture in-camera editing is ‘straighten horizon’. Landscapes are difficult to capture completely straight, and using a wideangle lens can also produce distorted results, but this post-capture edit is very simple to use. Having taken the landscape image below, I found it was not quite level.
I performed a post-capture edit and by clicking the left or right arrow, depending on the direction of tilt, I had the straight horizon that I wanted within a few seconds. More than one effect can be applied to the same image, but every time a new effect is made a new file is created. I tweaked the distortion control to combat the minute distortion from using a wideangle lens. This is also useful, to an extent, in correction of distortion in buildings taken from low angles.
