Digital Photography Forum
This is the Basic Photography - Histograms and The Zone System comments page. Please leave all feedback and observations regarding that article here.
The main article can be found here: Basic Photography - Histograms and The Zone System
I was reading this photo
I was reading this photo contest rules and they specify that the image
must have a 'Complete Black Spot' (I am not sure if that is the proper
translation, but I hope that you can get the idea), it says that it is
meant to comply with a proper contrast.
According to the contrast theory for an image to have a proper contrast
it most have all the values from pure black to pure white. That where a
histogram becomes useful, but it also says that you can play and not
use all the range, use tones of gray and not pure whites.
So,
If a complete black spot is requested should there also be a complete white? (they don't ask for it)
Is this a normal rule in terms of photo contests?
I am thinking that my range of colors may not include such a dark spot
and I honestly don't think that such a requirement is so necessary and that it may limit originality in what you can do.
Be the change you want to see in the world
-- Mahatma Gandhi
Strange request.
That seems to be a very strange thing to specify in a competition.
I have never entered nor seen a competition that specifies the tonal range of the image that you must enter.
What is the theme of the competition? If it has something to do with blacks, then that might be your answer.
The only other reason I can think of is that they intend to reproduce the image later and therefor want a specific set of tones.
I would say that unless they specify pure white, then there is no need to limit your selection based on images containing it.
Also remember that you can change the image's tonal range by adjusting it in curves.
I though it was weird too,
I though it was weird too, I actually read again and there can't be pure white unless intended to.
There are several topics all related to the promotion of a University.
They will post them in their website, but they don't say if it will be printed.
About the adjustments, they allow you to do some post processing, as long as you don't do a collage (I really don't know if that would be the term for several photos one over the other)
Then I assume that the reason for this is not related directly to quality, but to a special request from them.
Thanks for you comments ed.
Be the change you want to see in the world
-- Mahatma Gandhi
Composite
I think what they mean is a composite, rather than a collage.
I looked into it, and you
I looked into it, and you are right, it is composite.
If any one wants to know, in spanish it is a 'Foto Montaje'
Thanks for clarifying that point ed.
I am getting a better understanding of this histogram, despite what the article says, I was under the impression that you most get an even distribution all the time, but I was looking at the image with the goose and I remembered some photos that a friend of mine has, they are black and white self portraits, she plays a lot with the contrast and she gets from pure blacks to overexposed areas, with her hair and eyes all black and her face all pale.
It actually looks very good in the end, and the histogram is not 'well' distributed.
A bold image actually, but a great effect in the end.
Be the change you want to see in the world
-- Mahatma Gandhi
My thoughts on Histograms
Histograms are a very powerful tool, Felipe, and once you grasp them, you never need have an incorrectly exposed image again.
That being said, the key word in that sentence was "tool". And as always, a tool is a means to an end.
You should never try to shoot images just so that you can capture a good histogram. Your histogram is just a way of judging whether you are capturing what you hoped you would.
There are definitely times when the histogram will break away from a "normal" distribution. There are times that you would want a dark and moody image and times that you want a light and bright one.
Then you can make the histogram work for you to show you that your tones are clumped at the right end of the spectrum.
I cannot say this often enough: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A CORRECT HISTOGRAM.
There is only a histogram that is correct for the image that you are trying to create.
The histogram should be a function of the image, not the image a function of the histogram.
As usual, a nice clear
As usual, a nice clear explanation.
It really helps a lot, I promise that I will be a better student and pay more attention to my histograms, so far i have only used them 'postmortem'
Be the change you want to see in the world
-- Mahatma Gandhi
The teacher is only as good as his student.
You are a great student Felipe, you pick things up very quickly. You have been taking pictures for a few months, and already you are giving very good advice to other forum members.
Keep it up, I can tell that you have a very good eye for pictures, and a very interesting way of looking at the world. I always look forward to seeing your latest pictures.
Thanks
I do what I can and your words help me keep it up :)
I really like photography and the more I learn, the more I like it.
Be the change you want to see in the world
-- Mahatma Gandhi