I’ve been enjoying photography ever since buying my digicam and I kept running across articles mentioning “histograms” as an exposure diagnostic. Figuring that maybe it could help me take better pictures, I searched for more information on histograms.
I found a couple tutorials and this tutorial at Photoxels was one of the better ones. I learned that a histogram is essentially just a bar graph of the light present in an image (from “dark” on the left to “bright” on the right). And, while it may seem intuitive that a flat histogram would make for a good photo, it turns out that a hill-shaped curve is actually preferred for most shots.
So, how is this useful? Well, if you’re shooting at an event, you can take a couple test shots beforehand. Then, by loading your camera’s histogram function, you can check the shots and adjust your exposure if needed (such as by exposure compensation or tweaking the ISO). Now that I know how they work, I’ll just have to remember go through those steps the next time I’m taking photos.
Hmm, while this might be a good idea when you’re trying for a great shot, say a portrait or a competition piece, it seems like a lot of work for just casual photography. If you’re going to take test shots, by the time you have your lighting right, your subject has moved on or gotten bored.
Laura: Though histogram-checking may not work for a quick one-off shot, it may be suitable for an event with relatively consistent lighting. For example, I might try it for a picnic or a party.
Alex: Good point. I had not considered that. Will try this in the future if I’m using me digital.