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Mastering Photographic Histograms: The key to fine-tuning exposure and better photo editing
Histograms are the key to proper exposure and creating stunning images in the post-processing stage of DIGITAL photography.
Photographic Histograms are unique to Digital Photography. Most books on the subject of Photographic Histograms only discuss the Luminosity Histogram that is projected on the LCD screens of Digital cameras. There are three other types of Histograms that you should know about -- RGB, Colors, and Color Channel. Most books also only describe the basics of how to use the Luminosity Histogram to set exposure. In this relatively short but fact filled book you will learn how histograms are created and their significance to photography. Though they did not exist in the days of film photography, they are closely related to the Exposure Zones System created by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer around 1939. Can you identify with any of these experiences? If you answered yes to any of these questions, end the frustration. Just scroll up and grab a copy today.
Photographic Histograms are unique to Digital Photography. Most books on the subject of Photographic Histograms only discuss the Luminosity Histogram that is projected on the LCD screens of Digital cameras. There are three other types of Histograms that you should know about -- RGB, Colors, and Color Channel. Most books also only describe the basics of how to use the Luminosity Histogram to set exposure. In this relatively short but fact filled book you will learn how histograms are created and their significance to photography. Though they did not exist in the days of film photography, they are closely related to the Exposure Zones System created by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer around 1939. Can you identify with any of these experiences? If you answered yes to any of these questions, end the frustration. Just scroll up and grab a copy today.
- GenresPhotographyNonfiction
96 pages, Hardcover
Published October 31, 2016
584 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 5, 2017
Good basic book on understanding histograms
This book is a good introduction to the use of histograms, it covers the need for using histrograms, how colours are used in digital photography, how to read a histogram, and analyses a few photos, their histograms and why different patterns make good photos.
It is easy to understand with few technical terms, all of which are clearly explained at their first use and in the glossary at the end of the book. It uses repetition to make sure that you fully understand the points but the only repetition that is really noticable is the mention that reptition is being used.
This book is really aimed at the photographer who isn't familiar with the use of histograms, whether or not you are an experienced film or digital photographer, and is an excellent introduction. It is also useful for those who know a little about histograms but would like to be more confident with them. In either case this book will help you to take better photos, and to process photos better using digital editing software, but if you are experienced and comfortable using histograms you probably won't get much from this book.
This book is a good introduction to the use of histograms, it covers the need for using histrograms, how colours are used in digital photography, how to read a histogram, and analyses a few photos, their histograms and why different patterns make good photos.
It is easy to understand with few technical terms, all of which are clearly explained at their first use and in the glossary at the end of the book. It uses repetition to make sure that you fully understand the points but the only repetition that is really noticable is the mention that reptition is being used.
This book is really aimed at the photographer who isn't familiar with the use of histograms, whether or not you are an experienced film or digital photographer, and is an excellent introduction. It is also useful for those who know a little about histograms but would like to be more confident with them. In either case this book will help you to take better photos, and to process photos better using digital editing software, but if you are experienced and comfortable using histograms you probably won't get much from this book.
May 20, 2020
Concise and focused teaching
The author took the time to carefully and craftfully explain the key points of the histogram. I’ve known the basics of the histogram but wanted to learn more of the intricacies. He not only explained the technical basis but give tons of real life examples with a walk through Step by step analysis of the histogram. By showing clear examples, he led me to formulate a solid process on how interpret and understand the RGB histogram on my Olympus and LUMIX mirrirless cameras. These are not explained at all in the OEM manuals. Great book that I read within several hours on a weekend. The author does not have any major filler material. He just focuses and teaches you and then repeats the concepts 2 or 3 more times. Does he have a teaching background?! Looking forward to exploring more of this authors other books!
The author took the time to carefully and craftfully explain the key points of the histogram. I’ve known the basics of the histogram but wanted to learn more of the intricacies. He not only explained the technical basis but give tons of real life examples with a walk through Step by step analysis of the histogram. By showing clear examples, he led me to formulate a solid process on how interpret and understand the RGB histogram on my Olympus and LUMIX mirrirless cameras. These are not explained at all in the OEM manuals. Great book that I read within several hours on a weekend. The author does not have any major filler material. He just focuses and teaches you and then repeats the concepts 2 or 3 more times. Does he have a teaching background?! Looking forward to exploring more of this authors other books!
January 22, 2022
I have always wondered what the purpose of photography histograms really were, and as someone who spends a lot of time in photoshop, it nagged at me for years. This book satiated my curiosity. It reads like a long blog, and taught me even more about photography and photoshop than I was seeking to learn. Even though it appears to be written years ago, most of the information has held up (I'm not sure taking an HDR photo is such a big deal anymore). I recommend it to anyone curious about what the colored squiggly lines mean for the exposure and quality of their photos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2019
Thin on practicality
Besides needing a good edit for redundancy, the book doesn’t help you make decisions using histograms. It shows you histograms of various photos and explains what they indicate. Useful in and of itself, it would be better for the reader if there were examples of process: Adjustments that Al made because of the histogram, before and after. If you don’t know what clipping is, this is a useful book. If you do you know what it is already, don’t bother.
Besides needing a good edit for redundancy, the book doesn’t help you make decisions using histograms. It shows you histograms of various photos and explains what they indicate. Useful in and of itself, it would be better for the reader if there were examples of process: Adjustments that Al made because of the histogram, before and after. If you don’t know what clipping is, this is a useful book. If you do you know what it is already, don’t bother.
January 2, 2021
Excellent explanation
I am novice photographer, only having gotten started about 3 months before reading this book. The explanations about histograms and their use and manipulation during post processing greatly improved my photos almost immediately. It gave me the confidence to "play" with the buttons and dials on my camera to get the exposure I wanted and get the best shot the first time rather than by trial and error.
I am novice photographer, only having gotten started about 3 months before reading this book. The explanations about histograms and their use and manipulation during post processing greatly improved my photos almost immediately. It gave me the confidence to "play" with the buttons and dials on my camera to get the exposure I wanted and get the best shot the first time rather than by trial and error.
November 20, 2021
If You Want To Learn Histograms - This is your book!
I have a doctorate in education from the University of California, Los Angeles & Irvine (UCLA & UCI). I have taught for 20 plus years and am now retired trying to learn the art of photography. The author, Al Judge, has an amazing style of teaching that makes technical information easy to grasp. I am excited about reading his other books!
I have a doctorate in education from the University of California, Los Angeles & Irvine (UCLA & UCI). I have taught for 20 plus years and am now retired trying to learn the art of photography. The author, Al Judge, has an amazing style of teaching that makes technical information easy to grasp. I am excited about reading his other books!
January 9, 2022
I Now Understand and Can Use Histograms
After reading Mastering Histograms by All Judge I feel more confident using histograms when composing a shot and in post processing. Previously my limited knowledge was to simply control or reduce " clipping" during editing. This book is a clear and straight forward explanation of a valuable photography tool the does not need to be intimidating.
After reading Mastering Histograms by All Judge I feel more confident using histograms when composing a shot and in post processing. Previously my limited knowledge was to simply control or reduce " clipping" during editing. This book is a clear and straight forward explanation of a valuable photography tool the does not need to be intimidating.
October 8, 2018
Great concise overview for the amateur
Quick read but tons of information on a technical subject. I will be rereading it as I take some photos to learn more and be more automatic in my judgement of my exposures (I take a lot of animal photos including horses in motion. They just don't wait for you to stop and figure things out!) very happy with this purchase and author
Quick read but tons of information on a technical subject. I will be rereading it as I take some photos to learn more and be more automatic in my judgement of my exposures (I take a lot of animal photos including horses in motion. They just don't wait for you to stop and figure things out!) very happy with this purchase and author
May 9, 2019
Well written and informative - now I understand
While I never felt particularly intimidated by histograms I sure didn’t understand them and the relationship between the color channels and luminosity and colors histogram. Most importantly, I think I can now learn to use this too properly. Now to practice it. Good job!
While I never felt particularly intimidated by histograms I sure didn’t understand them and the relationship between the color channels and luminosity and colors histogram. Most importantly, I think I can now learn to use this too properly. Now to practice it. Good job!
January 18, 2022
Helpful explanation of photographic histograms and how to use them.
It's always good to see another prospective on photographic histograms. I use them everytime I create a image from camera through post processing. For beginning photographers it's an important tool to understand and for intermediate and above it's a good refresher and a quick read.
It's always good to see another prospective on photographic histograms. I use them everytime I create a image from camera through post processing. For beginning photographers it's an important tool to understand and for intermediate and above it's a good refresher and a quick read.
October 3, 2018
A quick, clear explanation of a useful tool
With this book, you will quickly become familiar with the purpose of the histogram, and why you would use it in your photography.
Read, try, improve. No wasted time with this tutorial.
With this book, you will quickly become familiar with the purpose of the histogram, and why you would use it in your photography.
Read, try, improve. No wasted time with this tutorial.
January 7, 2019
Short read on focused topic
Judge clearly concisely reviews background information about how histograms work, then shows how you can use the histogram to analyze you photo to positive effect using many colour photos.
Judge clearly concisely reviews background information about how histograms work, then shows how you can use the histogram to analyze you photo to positive effect using many colour photos.
July 18, 2019
Good book to understand use of histogram
5 stars because it was easy to understand. I applied what I learned and it rewarded me with better looking photographs. Recommended for novice or those who want to understand the use of histograms.
5 stars because it was easy to understand. I applied what I learned and it rewarded me with better looking photographs. Recommended for novice or those who want to understand the use of histograms.
January 6, 2020
Good guide
Good guide. Concise. The author could have provided more examples and references. It would be nice to have more info on HDR. I recommend this book for those who are beginning or have trouble finding the right exposure.
Good guide. Concise. The author could have provided more examples and references. It would be nice to have more info on HDR. I recommend this book for those who are beginning or have trouble finding the right exposure.
November 29, 2020
This book does a great job in explaining how to understand and read histograms as they relate to better control over exposure in digital photography.
Once you understand this, it allows the photographer to apply this to enhance their own work.
Once you understand this, it allows the photographer to apply this to enhance their own work.
January 9, 2022
How histograms are used in photography.
Great overview of what histograms are and how they can be leveraged to help produce great photos. Great for novice photographers serious about taking their photography to the next level!
Great overview of what histograms are and how they can be leveraged to help produce great photos. Great for novice photographers serious about taking their photography to the next level!
July 16, 2022
A clear and concise explanation of histograms with
Great introduction for readers with very little to moderate knowledge of photographic histograms.
Not excessively technical with good examples of practical application.
Great introduction for readers with very little to moderate knowledge of photographic histograms.
Not excessively technical with good examples of practical application.
January 14, 2023
Helpful and quick
I read this in two brief sittings and learned a lot about histograms. The material was very easy to digest and the images provided great examples. Thank you to the author.
I read this in two brief sittings and learned a lot about histograms. The material was very easy to digest and the images provided great examples. Thank you to the author.
February 8, 2023
Quick and informative
This book helped me gain a more technical understanding of how histograms work on my digital camera. It reinforced some of what I learned on my own and showed me some issues that I didn't need to worry about.
This book helped me gain a more technical understanding of how histograms work on my digital camera. It reinforced some of what I learned on my own and showed me some issues that I didn't need to worry about.
September 20, 2018
Great book on histograms
Very good book on a complicated subject. Author does a great job of simplifying and making it easier to understand and apply.
Very good book on a complicated subject. Author does a great job of simplifying and making it easier to understand and apply.
December 29, 2018
Muy Bueno
Un libro muy claro y preciso para entender el histograma en la fotografía digital. Es muy recomendable para todos los niveles
Un libro muy claro y preciso para entender el histograma en la fotografía digital. Es muy recomendable para todos los niveles
January 13, 2019
Good understanding of historiaran
Al focus in a very easy way what and how historiaran works, he repeat one ad again the principal theory behind them
Al focus in a very easy way what and how historiaran works, he repeat one ad again the principal theory behind them
February 18, 2019
Histograms
This book takes a complicated subject and makes it understandable! I recommend it for anyone who uses a DSLR. Thanks for the information!
This book takes a complicated subject and makes it understandable! I recommend it for anyone who uses a DSLR. Thanks for the information!
March 7, 2019
Good instruction
Good book.many examples to learn from. Highly recommend it. Helps you compose your pictures. He teaches you well. Good job
Good book.many examples to learn from. Highly recommend it. Helps you compose your pictures. He teaches you well. Good job
March 12, 2019
highly Comprehensive
This book has definitely made me feel more professional. It has everything from the basis of color, luminosity, photo edition, ect.
This book has definitely made me feel more professional. It has everything from the basis of color, luminosity, photo edition, ect.
December 27, 2019
Helpful insight into histograms
Quite detailed without too much complexity. Understandable basics. Easy to read and easy to follow. Very good illustrations. Makes sense.
Quite detailed without too much complexity. Understandable basics. Easy to read and easy to follow. Very good illustrations. Makes sense.
August 10, 2020
A good read
This books simplifies the concept of histogram .The images used through out each chapter makes it easy to understand .
This books simplifies the concept of histogram .The images used through out each chapter makes it easy to understand .
December 21, 2020
Well written and covered a subject that most photography authors gloss over with minimal information. Judge provides sufficient detail and examples for a good understanding of histograms.
June 24, 2021
Practical
Simple and to the point in explaining how histograms work. Would recommend to anyone trying to understand the basics of histogram
Simple and to the point in explaining how histograms work. Would recommend to anyone trying to understand the basics of histogram
December 30, 2021
Very helpful
This was a great book and very helpful in understanding and learning to read histograms. Highly recommend this great book.
This was a great book and very helpful in understanding and learning to read histograms. Highly recommend this great book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews