Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

[DPNow]

Here is a summary or excerpt from an article that has just been published on DPNow:

In the second part of our Digital Photography 101 series, we look at that most useful of basic tools, the exposure histogram. Dont fear it! Its actual simple to use. This time we explain how histograms can highlight problems in an image.

More...

[Bob Ross]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Hi Ian,
I had to think back to when I got my "A-Ha" moment with histograms, as I read your explanation. At the very basic level of introducing mathematical ideas, a metaphor is a useful tool. When I was trying to teach histograms to a friend, I used the "pocket full of change" metaphor, where the coins get sorted by denomination or value just like the light values are sorted and the bar graphed. That ended in the imagined image of sorting ten million coins and my friend walked off mumbling....
Bob

[coupekid]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Here is a summary or excerpt from an article that has just been published on DPNow:

In the second part of our Digital Photography 101 series, we look at that most useful of basic tools, the exposure histogram. Dont fear it! Its actual simple to use. This time we explain how histograms can highlight problems in an image.

More...

Nice explanation Ian!

[Gina]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Thank you for this article, I WAS a bit intimidated by the histogram and didn't have much idea on how to use it. I've learned something today, cheers.

Gina

[Ian]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Thank you for this article, I WAS a bit intimidated by the histogram and didn't have much idea on how to use it. I've learned something today, cheers.

Gina

We haven't finished with the histogram yet though More to come shortly!

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Then there is Curves...................what fun

[Ian]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Then there is Curves...................what fun

I will be covering curves, even though I don't believe that curves are that important to most people, but I do believe it's useful to know how they work.

Ian

[Cogito]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Just back from a few weeks away in the USA to find that you've added this excellent series to the site while I've been away. It's great........... Thanks!

Regards,

Neil

[Ian]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Just back from a few weeks away in the USA to find that you've added this excellent series to the site while I've been away. It's great........... Thanks!

Regards,

Neil

Part 3 - Levels and histograms at work to correct photos, is now up, complete with four video clips.

The video side of it is quite hard to do well and I have plenty to improve, especially on the audio side!

Ian

[Bob Ross]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

I will be covering curves, even though I don't believe that curves are that important to most people, but I do believe it's useful to know how they work.

Ian

Curves are cool Ian They are the basic element behind the levels tools and for anyone not quite satisfied with the factory curve renditions, they are a necessity. Do give them a good go.
There will come a point where you run into what people are seeing in image quality versus what can be seen. We can talk about contrast, but who can determine if it is the highlights, midtones or shadows where the contrast is different and might need fixing to make the picture. The same goes for saturation, where it takes some perception to see hot spots or colors or color depths.
Your series is not only explaining tools to alter, but the components being altered, some of which might not even be withing the awarness of the photographer (speaking from personal experience).
Keep going!
Bob

[Ian]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

I haven't quite finished with the Levels tool just yet. I will be looking at the other elements of Levels next week, including 'auto levels' and why this can be unreliable, and an introduction to colour channels.

I'll probably look at curves after that.

Ian

[ekkl]

Re: Digital Photography 101 - Dont be intimidated by the histogram

Thank you for this Ian, if only there were more hours in the day!!