Camera Labs

I have never used light histogram till now. Many have told me that is a great tool to use. I a not sure how use it. can anyone please tell in a bit detail?

yeah same here i'm not sure how to use it, i don't even know what its used for. would some one be kind enough to explain this or show me a link or something?

Well I don't really use it because I use my eye, but it shows the lights in a picture. left beings the darks and right being the Lights so if you have a picture that is over exposed you will see a spike on the right hand side. So you generally want to keep it in the middle. But like I said I prefer to use my eye, but I do look at it so ill go with yes

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Camera: Canon 40D, 17-85mm IS
Knowledge of Photography: Hours of reading and videos.
Computer: iMac 24inch 3.06Ghz 4gb ram 500gb HD Nvidia 8800 GS 512mb

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That might be a good topic for one of Gordon's workshops over at DSLR Tips. Have you considered adding a request in the Suggestions for new workshops! thread?

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

good idea bob i'll do that right now

Yep started using histograms after reading how to use them in a book I purchased fairly recently, as mentioned above left is dark right is lights, if the histogram is clipped to one side you have lost details in the shadows or have blown highlights (depending on what side is clipped).

According to the book you are looking for a wide spread from left to right with a dome shaped curve, although every shot would be different so there is no perfect histogram shape as such.

I definitely feel it has helped me improve my shots as it is so much easier to get a good idea of tonal range in a shot than from purely looking at the image on the LCD.

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