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How to Use the Histogram in Photoshop

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How to Use the Histogram in Photoshop
The histogram is a graph that displays exposure and color information on your images. It can be used to correct exposure, color, and evaluate missing information. This episode explains how to read the histogram and how to fix common issues using 'Levels' adjustment layers.
How to Use the Histogram in Your Camera
The histogram in photoshop mirrors the histogram on a modern DSLR. Because a histogram displays color and light information, it is very useful for correcting exposure. A common problem photographers face is over-exposure or under-exposure. An image that is either over-exposed or under-exposed will result in a lack of information in the highlights or shadows. Images that are over-exposed are commonly referred to as 'blown out'.
Looking at the image of an LCD, it can be difficult to properly see the exposure of an image. The histogram displays exposure information, and when properly used can aid in creating a proper exposure without 'blown out' highlights or completely black shadows.
Levels and Histogram
The histogram is a great tool for understanding exposure and color in an image, but it won't change exposure values in an image - that is where 'Levels' come in. Levels are used to change the white point, black point and mid-tones of an image.
For instance, if and image doesn't contain true blacks and the histogram is shifted to the right, increasing the black levels in the image will compensate for the lack of blacks and correct the exposure. When adjusting exposure it is always best to use a RAW 16-bit image, rather than an 8-bit JPEG.
Did you know there is a lot more to PHLEARN than KZread? phlearn.com/more

Пікірлер: 145

  • @taranbirsingh2927
    @taranbirsingh29277 жыл бұрын

    Can't believe this video was free. The masking tip shown with the mountain image is priceless. Many thanks, generous youtuber!

  • @susmitbarve5374
    @susmitbarve53744 ай бұрын

    thanks its been 8 years since this video and the information it gave is priceless

  • @dpmelson
    @dpmelson8 жыл бұрын

    I just want to thank you for providing such valuable training. I've been a fan for a couple of years.

  • @TheTucsonJeff
    @TheTucsonJeff7 жыл бұрын

    Aaron - This is by far the best video I've seen on understanding and using histograms and levels adjustments. Although it's easy for me to see how a levels adjustment changes the appearance on the photo, I was never quite sure "how" it worked until you quite clearly explained the "holes" resulting in the "stretched" histogram -- and now it makes perfect sense to me (finally!!). Your videos are really informative and entertaining - thanks!

  • @swimrski
    @swimrski8 жыл бұрын

    Definitely a Phlearn Phan! My daughter is in a high school photography class, and in order to help her on the Photoshop aspects of the projects we have gone to these videos over and over. THANK YOU!

  • @threeone6012
    @threeone60128 жыл бұрын

    No matter how simple the topic is I always learn something from Aaron. Thanks for the zillion great uploads!

  • @COMPILOT1
    @COMPILOT1 Жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS POST ABOUT THE HISTOGRAM. I shot some night shots after viewing this post. Results were beyond better than what I expected. Thanks again.

  • @ericmay4262
    @ericmay42628 жыл бұрын

    You truly have a gift, and I am not just talking photoshop. You do a fantastic job explaining things and helping people add more tools to their photography tool bag. Thanks !

  • @ronaclancy-brewin9729
    @ronaclancy-brewin97298 жыл бұрын

    You're a wonderful teacher, Aaron. Thank you for yet another very helpful tutorial!

  • @maddiex1x
    @maddiex1x8 жыл бұрын

    Awesome as usual Aaron! Big fan of yours from New Zealand. Please consider doing a tutorial on 8 and 16 bit and the issues around this, there is very little available out there.

  • @KatiasBuzzMedia
    @KatiasBuzzMedia3 жыл бұрын

    Great info on how to use the histogram! ;) Thank you

  • @ganeshpokhrel3030
    @ganeshpokhrel30305 жыл бұрын

    Today I am watching my first histogram tutorial. Thankfully, got lots of confusion cleared. Please do come up with amazing tutorial contents so that freshman can make most benefit of your channel.

  • @CuttinChris
    @CuttinChris7 жыл бұрын

    that tip on the Marquee tool was a life saver on saving me time. don't need to use luminosity masks as much. very good tip there. came here because I was wondering if the gaps were stretching info too much, was reassured of it and then I walked away with a new tip. thanks!

  • @upalpatra5822
    @upalpatra58228 жыл бұрын

    Nice, tut AARON. Thanks a lot

  • @Thunder.X
    @Thunder.X8 жыл бұрын

    I would like you to do in the next episode tutorial - How to Use Vector Mask in Photoshop. Because I'm interested in what it is and what is practical using in Photoshop. I would like to learn more what are the options for editing the layer mask. It would be nice if you recorded the episode.

  • @qqueuenstein5616
    @qqueuenstein56168 жыл бұрын

    Great show as always. One thing I think many struggle with is the difference between what the histogram should look like for viewing on a monitor vs. printing. I find I have to shift the whole thing to the right, much like your first image, in order to print without having too much inky darks. The luminosity of the monitor gives a greater dynamic range, which is lost in the print.

  • @Tom_Swiss

    @Tom_Swiss

    8 жыл бұрын

    +Q Queuenstein Your monitor and printer are both calibrated?

  • @indigokj
    @indigokj8 жыл бұрын

    Loved the tip about the rectangle -- great way to view the change in a specific area, then use the layer mask to finish it out.

  • @davidherman1803
    @davidherman18038 жыл бұрын

    Aaron. When you pushed the histogram sliders to the right at 9:52 you actually revealed a couple of sensor spots. A good little trick to use for clean ups ! ? Thanks again for another amazing tutorial!

  • @iimagemelody
    @iimagemelody8 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Aaron...who could teach such ton of tips

  • @sammorgen
    @sammorgen4 жыл бұрын

    THANK YOU! I needed a tutorial just like this for a better astrophotography editing

  • @rocklee619
    @rocklee6192 жыл бұрын

    My friend! Thank you thank you thank you! This video was sooooo helpful ❤

  • @yogeny
    @yogeny8 жыл бұрын

    Very useful lesson, thank you.

  • @DebbyThomasArt
    @DebbyThomasArt8 жыл бұрын

    Best explanation of Histogram I've seen. Thanks!

  • @arijitsinha8233
    @arijitsinha82338 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Aaron....this will definitely help me understand the histogram better...Thank you so much...

  • @wsrmichael4627
    @wsrmichael46278 жыл бұрын

    WOW, Aaron, this tutorial was very good, did not know you could do what you have showed us. Very well done Thank you so much

  • @maharshitrivedi3062
    @maharshitrivedi30624 жыл бұрын

    amazingly presented.

  • @hadidjemel1792
    @hadidjemel17926 жыл бұрын

    i've been looking for this everywhere fixing a part of an image with selection and levels wow just amazing , thanks a lot you're awesome

  • @-Whuka
    @-Whuka Жыл бұрын

    Great video demystifying a relatively simple principle. Perfect presentation. Thanks

  • @jespergomller1328
    @jespergomller13288 жыл бұрын

    Remember: Holding down alt when using the sliders in the histogram gives a visual representation of where in the image and when the image is effected. I always use this when finding e.g. the darkest part of an image.. Holding down alt and using the slider turns the image white, and when parts of the image Drak parts starts to close, the dark side of the histogram the image start to turn yellow/red . on the white it'll show when and where the white it starts to burn out

  • @VictorPraizTech
    @VictorPraizTech3 жыл бұрын

    helped a lot. thanks

  • @BorisenkoAndrey
    @BorisenkoAndrey8 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Aaron. You keep on doing a great thing!

  • @krunalpanchal6137
    @krunalpanchal61378 жыл бұрын

    amazing tutorial. thanx .sir

  • @f0ggy2006
    @f0ggy20068 жыл бұрын

    Brill, well done and thanks.

  • @alecs3473
    @alecs34738 жыл бұрын

    Simple but very useful! Thank you so much, sir!

  • @antonyquigley5219
    @antonyquigley52198 жыл бұрын

    camera raw using the adjustment brush can also bring back blown out or under exposed data

  • @vincesolomito1865
    @vincesolomito18658 жыл бұрын

    very well done. thank you.

  • 8 жыл бұрын

    I just want to say thank you! Although I knew about histogram but your video gave me some new useful things :)

  • @posthvideo
    @posthvideo8 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Aaron! Another awesome tutorial! :)

  • 8 жыл бұрын

    Helpful as always! Thanks, Aaron!

  • @renzopinedacabrera2903
    @renzopinedacabrera29038 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Aaron, great tut, fab as usual :)

  • @EmmanuelBecerra
    @EmmanuelBecerra8 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the awesome tutorial! I've always wondered what there histogram was used for, now I know!!

  • @DC9848
    @DC98488 жыл бұрын

    More of these tutorials please, really useful!

  • @ayoubrh1444
    @ayoubrh14448 жыл бұрын

    hi Aaron. Thanks for those incredibles tutorials, I've learned a lot with you. and i wanna ask you more, than please make as a tutorial on street photography editing. thank you phlearn team.

  • @TheChannel100percent
    @TheChannel100percent8 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Mate! Learn something new every time!

  • @deontowle6697
    @deontowle66978 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Aaron, this was a really useful video.

  • @notman05
    @notman058 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. This explained very well, what to be mindful of when I'm taking photos. I knew the histogram was important, but I wasn't as mindful of blowing out whites/darks.

  • @vincentsolon3216
    @vincentsolon32163 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much sir!

  • @herleyy
    @herleyy8 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, I finally leard how to read Histogram. But I'll have to look how to use just the color channels separately

  • @ERCubed
    @ERCubed8 жыл бұрын

    I'm just starting out in photography and I am having trouble understanding F-stops and how they're used. Will you explain them for me and the rest of us amateurs I learn a lot from watching Phlearn. Thanks

  • @jean-michelargentin208
    @jean-michelargentin2087 жыл бұрын

    Aaron as usual great tutorial buddy😎 You ask if we have an idea for a tutorial-You mentioned getting the histogram right from the camera. What about a part 2 How to use your histogram correctly an adjusting camera exposure to get the best HISTOGRAM the right way. It's just a thought!!!

  • @SirKavalier
    @SirKavalier8 жыл бұрын

    Your tutorials are so helpfull! hug from argentina

  • @Rastameister
    @Rastameister Жыл бұрын

    Excellent !

  • @jacobsaldana6209
    @jacobsaldana62098 жыл бұрын

    thanks very good infor

  • @MrKohlenstoff
    @MrKohlenstoff8 жыл бұрын

    To be perfectly precise, the holes in the histogram do not actually represent lost information. The information is still there, just spread out. When several color values are mapped to the same value though, that's when you do lose information, e.g. when there are spikes as opposed to holes in the histogram where there were none before, or when you move your black or white level to a degree where part of your histogram is cut off.

  • @mouniryokan
    @mouniryokan7 жыл бұрын

    great explanation, thank you!

  • @santhoshananthakumar5451
    @santhoshananthakumar54518 жыл бұрын

    Really useful video ☺

  • @ArchitectdoseBlogspotDesign
    @ArchitectdoseBlogspotDesign8 жыл бұрын

    *AMAZING TUTORIAL THANK YOU*

  • @ooser707
    @ooser7078 жыл бұрын

    Your videos are so helpful and inspiring thank you for doing what you do

  • @nikovald
    @nikovald8 жыл бұрын

    Great as usual my friend, thanks a lot. Regards.

  • @FiniteBoy
    @FiniteBoy8 жыл бұрын

    Awesome training!!!

  • @GabesGames
    @GabesGames6 жыл бұрын

    Great video, really needed to learn this under used aspect of PS

  • @shahramakshay6427
    @shahramakshay64278 жыл бұрын

    thank you so much

  • @skynesst
    @skynesst5 жыл бұрын

    Off course. This helps me so... much!

  • @z8editing
    @z8editing8 жыл бұрын

    it would be cool if you can make a video about what's the main tools in photoshop to do our own color corection. thanks for this amazing channel keep it up :)

  • @JonathanRayson

    @JonathanRayson

    8 жыл бұрын

    Yes...I'd love to see a follow up on color correcting with the histogram as well!

  • @dimitreze
    @dimitreze8 жыл бұрын

    this channel is too good to be true. what is the catch?? hahaha just kidding! thanks for all the videos! :)

  • @Puccbelit
    @Puccbelit4 жыл бұрын

    Good content. Subscribed

  • @robertshija7288
    @robertshija72888 жыл бұрын

    Amazing and like Eveliina just said, thanks and God bless you.

  • @lexiriam
    @lexiriam7 жыл бұрын

    Great video tutorial. I'm working on starting my own video tutorials, but can't seem to find the right screen capture program to use, on a budget. I've heard of CamStudio, but I'm weary about open source programs; especially when my anti-virus pops up with an alert that it quarantined a virus. Can you recommend any good programs that won't alert my anti-virus when downloading/installing?

  • @phlearn

    @phlearn

    7 жыл бұрын

    We use QuickTime to screen capture. It's 100% free.

  • @MrVangassen
    @MrVangassen5 жыл бұрын

    Very well done! Subscriber earned;)

  • @derschmidtpunkt
    @derschmidtpunkt8 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! This was perfect

  • @78thedaddy
    @78thedaddy8 жыл бұрын

    hi, what's the best way to match the colours of the same subject for example two photos of a room that has been taken from different angles. thanks Glynn

  • @rolithesecond
    @rolithesecond8 жыл бұрын

    if you hold down alt while dragging black or white point you can see where the exact point you want is

  • @andreibrahim1802
    @andreibrahim18028 жыл бұрын

    Hey Aaron, just a quick question I wanted a ask. Why does the histogram change if you switch the option from RGB to Luminosity? Shouldn't the darks and lights values remain the same regardless of the hue? Please reply back and thanks. Love your videos, quality stuff xD

  • @vishnu99777
    @vishnu997779 ай бұрын

    Thanks

  • @thomaskaarup5461
    @thomaskaarup54618 жыл бұрын

    Awesome information. Could we get a follow up with eg a 16 bit image of your own that you adjust after.. Perhaps a bit og the shoot too ;) When being as good as you are, we demand more ;)

  • @loronlavoie5890
    @loronlavoie5890 Жыл бұрын

    You may not want the information at 5 point 53 but there is a lot there. I did not ice it until I worked with histogram scan in Substance Designer, so if someone wonders abut use of or needs that information for a different kind of project but its fundamental. thanks.

  • @cadufecak1745
    @cadufecak17458 жыл бұрын

    what'd you do if the mids was blown out? i have a picture where that middle range is off the top? not the right of hte histogram or the left. but the middle, if the graph is off the roof in the middle? i tried messing around with blur and clone stamp. but i dont know. and how would u take a photo with correct middle range values?

  • @RomboutVersluijs
    @RomboutVersluijs4 жыл бұрын

    I do keep wondering if the vertical heights represent the amount. BUt somehow i cant image that being correct. I mean if we have a slope which is already to the right, it has white. When the slop is at the top or bottom both have white. But white cant be a lot white or less white?!

  • @YanivAviran
    @YanivAviran8 жыл бұрын

    Perfect

  • @zlRedemptionlz
    @zlRedemptionlz8 жыл бұрын

    I love you guys

  • @mongui90
    @mongui908 жыл бұрын

    so how does curves works? is it the same as levels?

  • @alannahutt1061
    @alannahutt10617 жыл бұрын

    Wondering if you could help me out. I have a photo of my daughter I took with my iphone7. I brought the PX ratio up from 72 to 200. The photo is underexposed in the foreground where she is and overexposed in the back were the rainbow is =P. Its such a beautiful photo and I reeeeally want to save it. I made a layer mask using the marquee tool and went to use my brush to paint more light over her, but instead of taking the light and painting it out, it's taking the shadows and painting them in??? did I miss a step?

  • @_deepakp
    @_deepakp8 жыл бұрын

    hey Aaron. I want to learn photoshop. which version will be better for me

  • @jandoddy1773
    @jandoddy17738 жыл бұрын

    Aaron, in this episode you mention "16 bit" versus 8. Can you do a tutorial on that? I think you said to photograph in 16 bit???? Not sure how to set the camera to 16 bit, because aren't most 14 bit RAW? So, you'll need to address converting over to 16 bit. Also, address RAW ~ JPEG 8 or 16 bit. Thanks,

  • @ashwelllaudiseverson
    @ashwelllaudiseverson4 жыл бұрын

    Good Day Aaron Did you like ever edit a 16bit photoshop using the histogram......just a question😀

  • @ashwelllaudiseverson

    @ashwelllaudiseverson

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sorry correction edit a 16bit photo in photoshop using the histogram

  • @risbill1
    @risbill18 жыл бұрын

    Did the mothership land at 1:27? That was a weird sound.

  • @bethanysterritt2802
    @bethanysterritt28028 жыл бұрын

    Love it

  • @tclarke971
    @tclarke9717 жыл бұрын

    And now I know... Thank you!

  • @marwanammar9262
    @marwanammar92628 жыл бұрын

    thank you but could you help me to buy touchbad like you

  • @Jacob_Roberts
    @Jacob_Roberts6 жыл бұрын

    When I look at an image using a DSLR or using a mirrorless camera, will the image look overexposed or underexposed on the camera screen prior to my pressing the shutter?

  • @danielgeorgiev4750
    @danielgeorgiev47508 жыл бұрын

    I have a couple of quick questions if you can cover them in a video cause I am very interested to hear a professional PC or Laptop Mac or XP RAM, Video Card and other Characteristics Which, How much, and why?

  • @EltonJohnSander

    @EltonJohnSander

    8 жыл бұрын

    +Daniel Georgiev I'll try to help you. Right when I started in the graphic design world, I had the same doubts, and here's what I can say: Doesn't matter PC or Mac, they're just the tools, you are the operator. I prefer Windows, because it's good for my workflow. Now, about RAM, video card and etc, that depends; if you want to edit videos and use some 3D, you'll need a better configuration, otherwise, you won't need something much specific.

  • @danielgeorgiev4750

    @danielgeorgiev4750

    8 жыл бұрын

    that's a big help .. thank you....it's like .... all the video tutorials i've seen everybody uses mac and I dont like mac ... I was hoping that windows would be just fine ..... good think it is

  • @EltonJohnSander

    @EltonJohnSander

    8 жыл бұрын

    Glad I could help. :)

  • @thodorissiorikis8791
    @thodorissiorikis87916 жыл бұрын

    perfect!!!

  • @Goldmouthperspective
    @Goldmouthperspective2 жыл бұрын

    I thought the height didn’t matter. I was told it’s about rather the data is touching either the left or right side. I thought the height was just the amount of pixels. Thanks for the info.

  • @Average_Kpopper_Mideko
    @Average_Kpopper_Mideko8 жыл бұрын

    Does this work when you editing videos?

  • @Tom_Swiss
    @Tom_Swiss8 жыл бұрын

    Aaron, you don't actually "lose" any information by stretching it. Just dividing that one big gap into many small ones, which looks like a better result then total under/overexposure. No?

  • @xanderbrooks8017

    @xanderbrooks8017

    8 жыл бұрын

    +Tom D I think what he meant to say was you lose quality by stretching the information out. I can see how he got it confused for a second. He's probably thinking about of ton of things while he's talking, messing up is bound to happen.

  • @Tom_Swiss

    @Tom_Swiss

    8 жыл бұрын

    +Pender C You don't lose quality either. Same logic applies.

  • @FotomakerAcademy
    @FotomakerAcademy11 ай бұрын

    Okay I have a (maybe weird) question.... What are the pointy-headed "handles" under the Histogram called? Are they referred to as the Sliders? I always think of a slider as the full bar that some control thingy is pulled across to effect settings changes. Thx!

  • @phlearn

    @phlearn

    11 ай бұрын

    The pointy-headed "handles" under the Histogram in Photoshop are called distribution handles. They represent the tonal range of the image, with the left handle representing the darkest tones and the right handle representing the lightest tones. The height of each handle indicates the number of pixels in that tonal range.🤗

  • @FotomakerAcademy

    @FotomakerAcademy

    11 ай бұрын

    @@phlearn Thank you! 🙂👍

  • @muerte595
    @muerte5958 жыл бұрын

    bravoooo !!!!

  • @niek9388
    @niek93888 жыл бұрын

    Does shooting RAW images help for editing the levels?

  • @AnimeHumanCoherence

    @AnimeHumanCoherence

    8 жыл бұрын

    +niek kern The more control the better, I guess.

  • @RomboutVersluijs
    @RomboutVersluijs6 жыл бұрын

    That warning sign is always there, means you need to update the histogram. When you hover it also says "Uncached data, its not a clipping warning

  • @RomboutVersluijs

    @RomboutVersluijs

    6 жыл бұрын

    PS when dragging the arrows of the levels adjustment layer and you press alt while dragging, you see a preview of the data your retrieving. Thats quite handy for more detailed view

  • @falcomdigital
    @falcomdigital8 жыл бұрын

    When using levels, if you hold down ALT key when moving the blacks or whites slider, it will show you when you start clipping off the histogram. Letting go of ALT will return you to the image so you can see the changes. No need to guess how far to slide the Blacks or Whites.