What Is The Histogram?
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine|April 2019

What is the histogram, how does it work? Jason Parnell-Brookes shows you what the histogram does, and how to interpret it for better photos

What Is The Histogram?

A histogram is a chart that represents a quantity of something over a given range, and in terms of photography we’re talking about quantity of light over a given tonal range (from black to white).

The photographer’s histogram is split into four distinct sections. Starting from left-to-right, we see Blacks, Shadows, Highlights and Whites, respectively from darkest to lightest. If you want to view the histogram on a photo you’ve taken, head to Playback display options on your Nikon and tick the Overview box, then click OK. Then simply open an image you’ve taken. Next, click up or down on the multi-selector until the histogram appears.

There’s a common misconception that one should photograph to render a certain shape of histogram. Rather, it works the other way around – by informing the photographer of light and dark presence in a photo.

The two main areas we look at are: is it heavily stacked to one side; and does the data lay against the edge of the graph? If it’s the former, and the subject isn’t necessarily completely dark, or completely light, this may be an exposure issue that we have to rectify. However, the latter tells us whether there’s any clipping (distortion) occurring in the blacks or whites – under- or overexposure respectively, resulting in lost information.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2019 de N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición April 2019 de N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE N-PHOTO: THE NIKON MAGAZINEVer todo
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2

The original version broke the mould for ‘trinity' standard zooms. The G2 enhances handling and performance further still

time-read
2 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Nikon D500
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon D500

Nikon's flagship DX-format DSLR is a modern classic. And while it hasn't been out of production for long, it left a hole in Nikon's camera line-up that's never been filled

time-read
1 min  |
Summer 2024
Laurence Griffiths
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Laurence Griffiths

With so much sporting action this summer, Laurence Griffiths of Getty Images reveals how to catch every goal at the Euros, details Getty Images' 24/7 Olympics coverage and why he always has a wide-angle ready. Keith Wilson managed to grab him before kick-off...

time-read
10 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Ghost town
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Ghost town

Adam Waring uses ND filters to subdue the hustle and bustle when shooting busy cities

time-read
2 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Creative cities
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Creative cities

Experienced travel photographer Matt Higgs provides top tips for stunning shots of city sights

time-read
2 minutos  |
Summer 2024
If at first you don't succeed...
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

If at first you don't succeed...

Tom travels to the other side of the world to have another go at shooting an elusive image and displays the power of his perseverance

time-read
3 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Shoot the summer of sports
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Shoot the summer of sports

Have the Olympics and Euros inspired you to photograph sport? Mike Harris shows you how to score a portfolio of top shots

time-read
10+ minutos  |
Summer 2024
Osprey & prey
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Osprey & prey

Birds of a feather Gary Jones and Leigh Pugh photograph ospreys from a purpose-built hide

time-read
8 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Superzoom lenses
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Superzoom lenses

These lenses will have you in for a long stretch, some more than others in the wide-angle to telephoto stakes

time-read
5 minutos  |
Summer 2024
Nikon Z 6III
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon Z 6III

With a revolutionary 'partially stacked' full-frame sensor, the Z 6III fits flagship camera features in an compact enthusiast-level body

time-read
8 minutos  |
Summer 2024