How to chose what focus point to use on the Nikon D7000?

I'm lost and I just don't get it. When I press gently on the shutter release, I see this small little black square, is that where the focus point is? Or not? I just don't even know how to select a focus point. So if someone can tell me, I would greatly appreciate it

My guess is if it becomes focused and it seems to be where the black box is, that's the focus point, although I don't have that camera, my Cannon has a green box when it focuses.

Yes, the small black square is the active focus point. You can select one of the 39 focus points using the multi-selector, with the small lever below it NOT on L. You're pretty clueless, here's a idea, read the manual. They don't print them for nothing, you know.

Auto focus point selection by the camera is not something you want to allow to happen. When you see those little squares, that means the camera has decided that is where it wants to focus. The problem is, that will often NOT be where YOU need focus to be.

Your best solution is to set the camera so ONLY the CENTER focus point is active. You place this point on your subject, half press the shutter to achieve focus, while holding the shutter half way down to lock in focus you recompose the photo, then press the shutter button fully. This is how pros have done, and still do it, for years.

Not to sound rude, but it appears you have not spent near enough time studying your owners manual. It will explain this to you and show you how to activate the center point only so YOU have control of where the camera focuses at all times.

I agree with Steve. I can't remember ever using anything OTHER than teh center focus spot if I'm using autofocus. The only problem with this is that if you focus and recompose, you might alter the meter reading. There are two good ways to work around this. The first obvious way is to just use "M" to set your exposure and it won't change when you recompose. The alternate way is to assign the meter reading to the AE-L/AF-L button. See page 232 to learn how to assign only the meter function to this button. That's how I have it set, because you can lock focus by the half-press technique that you use all the time. Actually, I keep this button set to AE Lock (Hold). If you read the description, you will understand why. (My D300 also has an AF button on the back of the camera, but I think it's redundant. I guess some people like to "unassign" the focus function away from teh shutter release. You don' thave that button.)

Your camera manual should tell you how.