Better Photos Tip #9 – Read the Histogram
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To understand if you need to adjust your exposure, check the image histogram in the camera rather than relying on the image that appears in the LCD screen.
The histogram gives you a graphical representation of the image's tonal range. If the chart data doesn’t extend from one edge of the chart to the other, you will probably have a muddy lacklustre image.
If the chart is too far to the left, you need to lighten the image and if all the data is to the right the image is being overexposed.
If you're using a digital SLR you control the exposure by enlarging the aperture or decreasing the shutter speed to let in more light or vice versa to reduce the amount of light.
On a point and shoot camera, the exposure compensation feature lets you adjust the exposure amount to compensate for lighting issues. Typically you can adjust the exposure by any amount in the range -2.0 - +2.0 to darken or lighten the image.
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Labels: better photos, exposure compensation, histogram, tips