Active D-Lighting is effective in high-contrast situations. When used with 3D Color Matrix Metering II, an exposure is produced with emphasis on gradations in the highlighted area. With the D3 series or D300 series, the Scene Recognition System’s Highlight Analysis is applied to create exposures of greater precision while compensating for lost shadows with digital processing to ensure clearer reproduction. Digital processing applies only to the necessary portion, as with dodge techniques used in printing, and maintains partial contrast that is likely to be lost with tone-curve control. Even when shooting a subject with a wide dynamic range, which is conventionally difficult, Active D-Lighting is able to reproduce a realistic image that retains natural contrast while reducing blown-out highlights and lost shadows. With the D3X/D3S and D300S, an Auto option is employed that automatically selects the most appropriate level according to the shooting scene. Furthermore, the bracketing function of the D3S and D300S enables shooting for up to five frames with different Active-D-Lighting intensities, to help you get the best shot. Unlike conventional D-Lighting, which makes adjustments after the image is converted to JPEG, Active D-Lighting allows exposure and image processing optimization prior to JPEG conversion, ensuring more natural results. This feature is the result of repeated shooting in actual field conditions and simulation trials by Nikon engineers who know what it takes to produce a natural look in any section of a photograph.
