Andrew's_Wildlife

I would strongly recommend using the histogram. Depending what subjects I am photographing, basically I want my histogram peaked out in the middle on the right side. The problem with adjusting exposure in post processing is it creates more noise.

When I shoot in RAW I typically keep my exposure meter around +0.3 to +0.7 for birds. For seascapes I typically keep it at +0.7 and watch it when I am taking photos. I suspect there is a little bit of variance depending on which camera you use.

Some wildlife guys like to send their exposure meters below the center to pick up performance in other areas.

Good topic

Boardmanrd55

Yes they do and did. One was a photography professor from Stanford. The other was just completing a degree in photography, not sure where though. I'm not sure it makes or breaks great pics but certainly an added tool.

The Watcher

Recently someone on the hog posted this link about understanding the histogram. After reviewing many articles on the subject, I find this to be one of the best.
http://godigitalslr.com/use-histogram-evaluate-exposure-contrast/

bike4life Loc: Illinois, USA

Ditto. I have recently started doing the same, and I am quite pleased with my results.

Naturenut Loc: Salisbury, NC

I use it all the time. In camera it lets me know if I am clipping (loosing data) on the light or dark side. In pp if you go to levels & find you have clipped the highlights your screwed. Can't retrieve something that is not there.

ziggykor Loc: East Texas

Sorry, but your response is a load of garbage! If you don't use the histogram you're not a photographer? The histogram that your camera shows is based on the processing the camera would do if you are shooting JPEG's. The camera can not show a RAW Histogram.

I never shoot to what the camera suggests, only for what I want my images to say, and each is different. I suppose I could say that if you don't understand how to do that you're not an artist!

The histogram has nothing to do with the traditional or newer digital "zone System"! It is nothing more than a graph that shows where the information within your photograph is distributed. If you don't know what the tool is for and how to read it you become like the blind squirrel we hear about so often. But, photographers, even since digital became common, have been making great pictures because of their interpretation of a scene, not some graph in their camera.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

Hi Boardmanrd55,

I would use it as a light meter myself because it would help me to obtain the right light for the right exposure.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I still shoot B&W film, sometimes experimenting with the zone system; I will often confirm my estimations as to zones with a 1% spot meter. When processing film, I have no reason for a histogram. Does that mean I am not a photographer? I'd like to know because I've been tying up a lot of time and other assets in photographic gear (including a one-of-a-kind TLR), and, if I'm not a photographer, I've spent the last 60 years of my life and several thousand dollars for nothing. Oh, and by the way, I think there are a few more members of this forum, especially film shooters, who might have some interest in your statement, "If you do not want to bother and understand a histogram, you are not a photographer."