Spotty Nose Pet Photography Blog

I usually reference the histogram graph in post production, but the challenge this week was to use it in-production and judge exposure.

In general, dark tones from your photo are weighted to the left on the histogram graph and lighter tones to the right. Although there is no such thing as a perfect histogram graph, it can be a very useful tool.  The histogram will show you when your photo is overexposed (entire graph skewed to the right) or underexposed (entire graph skewed to the left), which will affect clarity of detail in the final exposure.

In the photo below, as a fun test, I metered off the green grass and then adjusted the shutter speed to push the histogram graph to the right. The result – I lost detail in the sky and overexposed the photo slightly.  A little post-production helped bring the color and details back.

Move on to the next photographer in the 52 Project blog circle, Carol Locey Photograpy serving Greater Cincinnati, OH, and check out her use of the histogram.

This week’s assignment was to take photos using the Zone System scale; a system formulated by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer. The scale divides white, gray and black tones in between 11 Zones, with the middle – Zone V – as its neutral gray.  If used correctly, the scale ensures correct exposure every time in every situation!

The photos selected below provide a few examples of what happens when you spot meter off of different Zones and how I should have adjusted my exposure.  All are SOOC.

 
Left photo:  I metered off of the dark brown fur, which was too dark, and the result was an overexposed photo.  Solution – increase f stop 2 stops towards Zone V.

Right photo: I metered off of the sky, which was too bright, and that caused an underexposed photo.  Solution – decrease f stop 2 stops towards Zone V.

Below photo: The final photo metered off of the lightest gray in the cement, closest to Zone V.

Go out this weekend and experiment with the Zone System; you’ll enjoy the results.  Now, visit the the next photographer in the project blog circle, Carol Locey Photography serving the Greater Cincinnati, OH area.