Outbackphoto: "Watch Your Histogram"

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.outbackphoto.com/workflow/wf_41/essay.html' target='_blank'>http://www.outbackphoto.com/workflow/wf_41/essay.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"In the field the main difference using a film or a digital camera is the LCD on the back of the digital camera giving you the ability to evaluate an image right after exposure ... The right exposure is a key to taking quality images. This did not change from film to digital. In some way overexposure even shows more problematic in digital as the sensors tends to clip data above a certain threshold. This means: never overexpose your photos. In this case, the highlights may be lost and recovery is not possible (some techniques to estimate lost highlight details exist though). Here is help which only the digital cameras can provide: The cameras provide a way to view the result of the last photograph taken and show a histogram of the grayscale values from 0 (black) to 255(white)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/300_d70_histogram.jpg" /><br /><br />Little emphasis has typically been shown during reviews of most digital cameras, or articles on post processing of images even though it can technically a very basic way of analyzing the exposure and colors in an image. This is why I find this article so interesting. It breaks down the concept of histograms as well as how it relates to camera exposure and the different channels of color in your shots. Definitely worth reading.

[JTWise]

Looks like it may be interesting. Do you have a link to the whole article?

[David Prahl]

My G3 doesn't offer a live histogram, but I can check it in Playback mode.

One of the new Sony 8MPs is SOOOOO SWEEEEET! "Live" histogram included!

[Jonathon Watkins]

I believe that the article is here (http://www.outbackphoto.com/workflow/wf_41/essay.html).

Very useful BTW! :D

[Suhit Gupta]

Looks like it may be interesting. Do you have a link to the whole article?
Whoops :oops:, sorry about that. Links should work now. Thanks to Jonathan in the mean time though.

Suhit

[SassKwatch]

Very good article!

Probably the most enlightening portion for me was the differing histograms for each color channel. A problem I have encountered and have to figure out a reasonable workaround for.....short of purchasing one of the cameras mentioned.

I'm gradually warming up to 'live' histogam usage, but also feel it still gets me *too* wrapped up in creating the 'perfect' technical image and detracts from my attention on the light/composition. Granted, that may well just be a bit of mental gymnastics *I* need to overcome. But visiting any number of critique or gallery sites suggests I'm far from the only one. One can find a lot of pics out there that are technically VERY well done, but ain't got a lick of 'soul'.....including too many of my own. :)

I also continue to maintain that a lot of what is done utilizing a histogram can be largely accomplished with judicious use of a spot meter and a reasonable amount of experience/understanding of the camera being utilized. It certainly doesn't fit every situation, but my experience suggests it can be utilized much more often than not. The 'stream' pic in your article represents a tough situation where this might work, but chances are I'd shoot several different pics utilizing different methods and choose the best once post processing begins.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

I'm gradually warming up to 'live' histogam usage, but also feel it still gets me *too* wrapped up in creating the 'perfect' technical image and detracts from my attention on the light/composition.


Well, you know what I'd do? I'd look at the histrogram last. Actually, I wouldn't even bother unless I have the time to stare at it.


I also continue to maintain that a lot of what is done utilizing a histogram can be largely accomplished with judicious use of a spot meter and a reasonable amount of experience/understanding of the camera being utilized.

Yes indeed. In fact with enough experience you can even guess when your matrix meter is going to be unreliable.

[SassKwatch]

http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/tips/histogram_tips.php#more

Chock full of histogram usage tips. I found it via Photography Blog.

[Jonathon Watkins]

Thanks SassKwatch. Very usefull & a lot to take in there!