by asli
15. October 2011 18:08
This is a simple tutorial on understanding how to use a histogram to find problems in a photo. In the BEFORE version of this photograph, it is clear that the shadows overwhelm the detail of this photo. This is simple to fix. Add a new Adjustment Level from the lower right hand side of your screen. Immediately you will see the histogram pop up on the right, in the Adjustments windows.
The obvious problem here is that there is no photographic detail in the far right area of the histogram – the light area. The data is indicated by the bars of the histogram that make up the skinny black hill that you see. Likewise, we are missing a bit of data on the far left: the shadows.
By adjusting the black and white triangle towards the center, we immediately correct the photo.
There are other ways to improve white balance, but this will be the most expedient and easiest, while giving you full control and allowing you to learn in the process. As you learn, try to stay away from all the computed wizards so that you can understand the technique behind the tool.
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