Nikon D810 - Manual (Page 206)

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Active D-Lighting
Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows,
creating photographs with natural contrast. Use for high
contrast scenes, for example when photographing brightly lit
outdoor scenery through a door or window or taking pictures of
shaded subjects on a sunny day.
It is most effective when used
with matrix metering (0 114).
Preserving Detail in Highlights and
Shadows
Active D-Lighting off Active D-Lighting: YAuto
D
“Active D-Lighting” versus “D-Lighting”
The Active D-Lighting option in the shooting menu adjusts exposure
before shooting to optimize the dynamic range, while the D-Lighting
option in the retouch menu (0 388) brightens shadows in images
after shooting.