How to Use the Histogram Chart

In general, a histogram is a graphical display of tabular frequencies. Histograms are mainly used to plot density of data and are often used for density estimation. In photography, the histogram chart  is a graph that represents the maximum range of light values your camera can capture, in 256 steps (0 = Pure Black, and 255 = Pure White). The histogram looks like a mountain peak or it can sometimes be a series of peaks. The left part of the histogram represents the maximum dark values that your camera can capture while the right side represents the maximum white values it can capture. The peak of the histogram (the highest point mostly at the center) is a value that represents the colors, you cannot control this part so its just there to show you information. In using histograms, we are more concerned with the left and right sides since these are the areas we have much control over.

Plainly speaking, the histograms left and right sides tells you about the lightness and the darkness of an image. If your image is too dark, the light values on the left of the histogram will be clipped off.  If its too light, then the clipping would occur in the right part of the histogram. Knowing this, you can start using the histogram to detect whether the image you took is well exposed or if its poorly exposed.

I hope this has helped you with your photography, you may also watch the video to learn more about the histogram and how to use it to get better exposed photos.  Thanks for your time and good luck with your photography.