Comments on: using the histogram to determine exposure http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure photography by Neil van Niekerk Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:03:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tom http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37908 Tom Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:33:27 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37908 Thank you so much, Neil! I am working through your on-camera flash book and finding it extremely informative if a bit of a steep learning curve for someone at my level. I've suddenly been asked to take some shots of a wedding at New York's City Hall in just a few days time, as a favor for a couple of friends. They're not expecting pro-quality work by any means, but I aim to do my best for them, so I am trying to learn what I can in three days time (gulp!) I guess I'll find out how well I can handle my D90 and SB-600. Thank you so much, Neil! I am working through your on-camera flash book and finding it extremely informative if a bit of a steep learning curve for someone at my level.

I’ve suddenly been asked to take some shots of a wedding at New York’s City Hall in just a few days time, as a favor for a couple of friends. They’re not expecting pro-quality work by any means, but I aim to do my best for them, so I am trying to learn what I can in three days time (gulp!) I guess I’ll find out how well I can handle my D90 and SB-600.

]]> By: Neil vN http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37906 Neil vN Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:12:01 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37906 <blockquote>Tom .. you need constant light, whether ambient light or manual flash. You can't use this for TTL flash, except as an after-the-fact check to see if your exposure was correct. Also read comment # 46 Neil vN</blockquote>

Tom .. you need constant light, whether ambient light or manual flash.
You can’t use this for TTL flash, except as an after-the-fact check to see if your exposure was correct.

Also read comment # 46

Neil vN

]]> By: Tom http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37905 Tom Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:57:31 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37905 Thank you, Stephen, I think I understand that bit now. Time for stupid question number two: when using this method of metering (i.e., placing the brightest relevant tone appropriately near the right edge of the histogram) I assume I should not be firing my speedlight, correct? If so, is this method intended for times when one is using only available or otherwise constant light such as studio lights? Thank you, Stephen, I think I understand that bit now. Time for stupid question number two: when using this method of metering (i.e., placing the brightest relevant tone appropriately near the right edge of the histogram) I assume I should not be firing my speedlight, correct? If so, is this method intended for times when one is using only available or otherwise constant light such as studio lights?

]]> By: Stephen http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37831 Stephen Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:49:05 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37831 Tom, The first Nikon histogram, where the right end of the histogram just approaches the chart's edge is the better one where white is the brightest relevant tone. See http://neilvn.com/tangents/images/histogram1.jpg The second picture where the histogram spikes is bad for this image, because you start to overexpose the bride's dress (which is white). You generally want to be able to see details on the bride's dress, so you want to avoid overexposing it. Overexposing the bride's dress washes out details. Tom,
The first Nikon histogram, where the right end of the histogram just approaches the chart’s edge is the better one where white is the brightest relevant tone. See http://neilvn.com/tangents/images/histogram1.jpg

The second picture where the histogram spikes is bad for this image, because you start to overexpose the bride’s dress (which is white). You generally want to be able to see details on the bride’s dress, so you want to avoid overexposing it. Overexposing the bride’s dress washes out details.

]]> By: Tom http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37819 Tom Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:36:31 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37819 Thanks for replying so quickly, Neil! Just so I understand (and apologies for being a bit dense!) the second Nikon histogram is indeed the preferable one? I usually try to avoid seeing a spike on the right side (as in the second histogram) and would instead likely aim for something closer to the first histogram. But then I don't really know what I'm doing, which is why I'm asking the pros! Thanks for replying so quickly, Neil! Just so I understand (and apologies for being a bit dense!) the second Nikon histogram is indeed the preferable one? I usually try to avoid seeing a spike on the right side (as in the second histogram) and would instead likely aim for something closer to the first histogram. But then I don’t really know what I’m doing, which is why I’m asking the pros!

]]> By: Neil vN http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37767 Neil vN Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:38:27 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37767 <blockquote>Tom .. in this case, where we have ONLY relevant tones in the image (ie, now super-bright backgrounds, etc), then we want the histogram to dip as close to the corner as possible ... for any white tones. No clipping. Neil vN</blockquote>

Tom .. in this case, where we have ONLY relevant tones in the image (ie, now super-bright backgrounds, etc), then we want the histogram to dip as close to the corner as possible … for any white tones. No clipping.

Neil vN

]]> By: Tom http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37766 Tom Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:36:10 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-37766 Ok, stupid question but here goes: I am not sure which histogram above is our goal. In the Nikon example, do we WANT the second histogram with the clipping on the right side? I get the impression we do, but when Neil writes that the second image is "2/3rd stop over-exposed" it makes me wonder what he means, i.e., is the second shot "over-exposed" yet correctly exposed? Ok, stupid question but here goes: I am not sure which histogram above is our goal. In the Nikon example, do we WANT the second histogram with the clipping on the right side? I get the impression we do, but when Neil writes that the second image is “2/3rd stop over-exposed” it makes me wonder what he means, i.e., is the second shot “over-exposed” yet correctly exposed?

]]> By: William http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-28764 William Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:29:40 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-28764 Sorry I meant also to say that one of the reasons I was asking was that for us RAW shooters, there is the option of exposing "to the right" as well and I wondered if you were an advocate of this or not. If not then would you have a different technique for metering a dark scene with a histogram? Thanks and sorry for posting twice Sorry I meant also to say that one of the reasons I was asking was that for us RAW shooters, there is the option of exposing “to the right” as well and I wondered if you were an advocate of this or not. If not then would you have a different technique for metering a dark scene with a histogram?

Thanks and sorry for posting twice

]]> By: William http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-28761 William Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:05:13 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-28761 Hi Neil. This is a very helpful blog. Thanks so much for posting. I have just come across it. I'm away at work now and won't be able to try it for a couple of days but I will certainly give it a go. Have you found any "sweet spot" for the histogram with the 5D2? I shoot RAW so it might not be much of a worry as long as the highlight isn't blown. Also can I just clarify ( I'm a Canon 5Dmk2 user) about the Canon histogram. As soon as a "spike" appears that means that you have gone too far with your exposure although it won't be blown unless it crashes right into the edge. This is right isn't it? Also is there a different technique for reading histograms when the scene is very dark and "low-key", and much moodier with few highlights such as the bride's dress? Thanks again Hi Neil. This is a very helpful blog. Thanks so much for posting. I have just come across it. I’m away at work now and won’t be able to try it for a couple of days but I will certainly give it a go.

Have you found any “sweet spot” for the histogram with the 5D2? I shoot RAW so it might not be much of a worry as long as the highlight isn’t blown. Also can I just clarify ( I’m a Canon 5Dmk2 user) about the Canon histogram. As soon as a “spike” appears that means that you have gone too far with your exposure although it won’t be blown unless it crashes right into the edge. This is right isn’t it?

Also is there a different technique for reading histograms when the scene is very dark and “low-key”, and much moodier with few highlights such as the bride’s dress?

Thanks again

]]> By: mike http://neilvn.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-27725 mike Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:09:11 +0000 http://planetneil.com/tangents/2007/07/31/using-the-histogram-to-determine-exposure/#comment-27725 neil, i am using a d7000 and sb700,,,,,,it seems as though with matrix and center weighted metering i automatically get ttl bl and with spot metering i get ttl....there doesnt seem to be a choice, its decided for me, am i right? neil,
i am using a d7000 and sb700,,,,,,it seems as though with matrix and center weighted metering i automatically get ttl bl and with spot metering i get ttl….there doesnt seem to be a choice, its decided for me, am i right?

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