In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be talking about how to use the histogram on our digital cameras to capture the best possible images.
The histogram displays the amount of blacks, whites and
neutral tones in an image. By reviewing
your histogram after each shot you will gain a better understanding of how the
camera processes the scene and be able to make any adjustment to achieve that
perfect exposure.
In the sample of the lighthouse image, you will notice the
histogram in the top. On the far right
of the histogram, this is the number of whites, across the middle are the
neutral tones, and the far left is the blacks.
You will notice where the “1” is on the histogram, this is
showing the white pixels displayed in this image. If this was all the way against the histogram
on the right side the shot would be overexposed and you would lose detail in
the whites. If the furthest right spike
in the histogram was more to the left the image would be underexposed. Since we have white in this image, the
histogram should have a spike at the furthest possible right, without touching
the side of the histogram.
“2” is showing the blacks in the image. If this was too far left and spiked against
the wall of the histogram, the image would be underexposed and detail would be
lost in the blacks. If the furthest left
spike was more in the middle for this image, the image would be overexposed. Since we have black in this image, the
histogram should spike at the furthest possible left, without touching the side
of the histogram.
The “3” is showing the neutral tones in the grass and
sky.
“4” is the darker trees.
By reviewing your histogram after each shot, and identifying
where the spikes are, you can then make adjustments to your images correcting the
exposure .
More to come next week.
Please feel free to share with anyone who loves photography.
