How to use your camera's histogram to properly expose your photos

The histogram is the best tool in your camera for properly exposing your images. If you don't know how to use it, it's time to learn!

The histogram is essentially a graph plotting each pixel in your image. The lighter the pixel, the further right it will appear on the graph. The more concentrated a particular lightness value is in the image, the taller the graph will get in that respective spot.

Now that you understand how the histogram works, it's time to apply it to your own photography. In landscape photography, it is generally best to use the histogram and "expose to the right." This means that you'll expose the image as bright as possible WITHOUT having any part of the histogram touching the far right side.

Any pixels touching the right side of the histogram will be blown out, meaning you won't be able to recover any detail, even if you're shooting in RAW.

Next time you're out shooting, use the histogram to ensure a perfect exposure!

#landscapephotography #photography #naturephotography #photographytip #improvephotography #learnphotography #photoediting #camerasettings

[shadowblueraven]

I needed this! Thank you for explaining!

[robertgiguere]

I enjoy, short and to the point camera videos! Thank you👍👍👍

[TheFirstRealChewy]

Correction: You want nothing, for which you need details, touching the ends of the graph.

Unless you are shooting HDR, you'll come across many scenes that exceed the dynamic range of your camera. So choose the range that makes the most sense if doing one shot.

Having details for everything in the frame isn't always necessary.😊

[Jo-hcpm]

This was a really helpful video. I've just started photography and did wonder how the camera's histogram was properly used. Thanks.

[benstone]

Wow I did not realise I needed this but I did

[danielmcgowan]

Or, if you shoot with Nikon, select "Highlight-Weighted metering" and let the camera handle it for you. It's awesome when photographing performances where they use spot lights. The light's intensity constantly changes; automation saves the photographer from worrying about highlights.

[jeremyarrieta]

Wow. Thank you for this simple video. It very helpful

[Wass_]

I thought the peak has to be in the centre to get perfect exposure, you don't want the histogram touching either side?

[danielbuckland]

Ideally you also don't want everything touching the left side or you will lose all your detail to shadows and end up with a muddy dark image.

[luuketaylor]

As someone who only shoots on film... 😶 I have to trust my experience! And no, I don't always get it right.

[kabirbody]

I still not use the histogram on camera. Sometimes in lightroom.

[ian_lewono]

"You dont want anything touching the far right side of the frame" unless your using ETTR (expose to the right) to intentionally overexpose the image to lower in post to keep noise revealed by high iso low

[jj.visualverse]

Can u explain more? It looks like you are closer to your left now. And you seem to be underexposed by 1 stop. Shouldn't it be at 0? I know there's something I'm missing so can someone explain?

[rokpodlogar]

problem is, histogram is that of jpeg not raw capture.

[dymonmein]

Coincidentally lands on ISO100 lol - I just stick with that tbh. Then if that’s too bright, ND filters, but I almost never turn exposure up from that and 180 degree shutter.

[xutsider]

A tip noone tells you, use your aperture to adjust it

[enricomarconi]

Yes and no. The histogram is representative of your jpeg image and not your raw (where this gives you more leeway at either end of the spectrum).

[AJB]

Poor choice of words, the image is not properly exposed, but you have captured as much data as possible without loss or compression.

[simon_jk]

Because no one likes blown out highlights when youre editing in LrC

[mostlymessingabout]

"On most cameras"... erm... nope 😂