The histogram is a bar graph that shows the brightness levels in your photo. The left side represents shadows, the right side represents highlights, and the middle represents midtones.
A well-exposed image often has a histogram that spreads smoothly across the range — not bunched up at the far edges.
Why the Histogram Matters
- Helps spot clipping, where detail is lost in pure white or black
- More reliable than your screen, especially in bright sunlight
- Gives instant feedback on how your exposure turned out
How to Use It
- Left spike = shadows may be too dark
- Right spike = highlights may be blown out
- Balanced shape = likely good exposure, but depends on the scene
Different scenes produce different histograms. A night photo may be mostly dark (left-heavy), while a snowy landscape may skew right — and that’s okay!
Tips
- Use the histogram when reviewing photos, especially in tricky lighting
- Don’t obsess over a “perfect” shape — focus on whether key details are visible
- Combine with exposure compensation to fix problems on the spot