DSLRUsers.com

A discussion forum - and more - for users of Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.

Skip to content

Understanding the Histogram

Newer members often state that they think their question is too basic, or stupid, or whatever, to be posted. Nothing could be further further from the truth in any section at DSLRUsers.com, but especially here. Don't feel intimidated. The only stupid question is the one that remains unasked. We were all beginners at one stage, and even the most experienced amongst us will admit to learning new stuff on a daily basis. Ask away! Please also refer to the forum rules and the portal page

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is. Please also check the portal page for more information on this.
Write comments

Understanding the Histogram

Postby Laurie on Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:02 pm

Does anyone have any sites for understand the histogram.
i see a lot of people talking about using it to gauge exposure.

thanks
_laurie
User avatar
Laurie
Senior Member
 
Posts: 679
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:46 pm
Location: Mortdale.Sydney/NSW.AU
Top

Postby radar on Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:08 pm

Laurie,

go have a look at the article writtten by member NikonUser, aka Paul Wood at:

http://www.australiandigitalphotography.com/

HTH,

André
Photography, as a powerful medium of expression and communications, offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution. Ansel Adams

(misc Nikon stuff)
User avatar
radar
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2823
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:18 am
Location: Lake Macquarie (Newcastle) - D700, D7000
Top

Postby Aussie Dave on Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:12 pm

Laurie
Here's about 6 months worth of reading (on this site alone).

HERE is the specific page on the topic of the Histogram

Enjoy....
Dave
Nikon D7000 | 18-105 VR Lens | Nikon 50 1.8G | Sigma 70-300 APO II Super Macro | Tokina 11-16 AT-X | Nikon SB-800 | Lowepro Mini Trekker AWII
Photography = Compromise
User avatar
Aussie Dave
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1427
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2004 1:40 pm
Location: West. Suburbs, Melbourne [Nikon D7000]
Top

Postby Greg B on Thu Oct 05, 2006 5:39 pm

Laurie
At its simplest, the Histogram is a graph

If you have a luminace histogram (the standard black one), across the bottom (the x axis), you have 0 (black) to 255 (white) or 0 to 65,535

Each vertical line on the histogram represents the number of pixels with the x value. If you have a very high reading right up on the left hand side, there is a lot a black or near black.

If you have colour histograms (as in CS2 or on the D200), you have three graphs, one each for the red, green and blue values of each pixel.

Interpreting the histogram is another matter
Greg - - - - D200 etc

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
- Arthur Schopenhauer
User avatar
Greg B
Moderator
 
Posts: 5938
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:14 pm
Location: Surrey Hills, Melbourne
Top
Write comments

Return to Absolute Beginners Questions
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Copyright © 2005 - 2022 Gary Stark


Portal XL 5.0 ~ Plain 0.2