On the hunt again today- but this time I was looking for a range of dark to mid to light tones. I went out in the yard to look for something that might fit the bill and came upon a pile of wire that Jeff uses to tie down the weights which hold down the tarp over our firewood. I also thought this would produce a histogram that showed a similar spectrum but it didn't. At this point I'm not really sure how to accomplish that reading, but I find it helpful to see how the picture reads anyway.
I am overwhelmed by the response to the Flash of Red challenge. There are 73 people who've asked to be tagged for it! Needless to say, it's an even greater challenge to keep up with it. I'm hoping to get back on track over the next few days and I thank you once again for your patience as I do so!
The histogram is also a bit of a mystery to me. Sadly I tend to ignore it and just go with what I like! Hopefully I can find some time to play with the histogram and that the penny finally drops.
Not sure what histogram is or does but it's something I'll read up on, to understand it. As for your photo I like how you thought of an idea and than found it. I think the contrasting light and dark, in b&w looks brilliant!
A wonderful range of tones, mission accomplished. I am also finding the U shaped histogram elusive but like you I am at least looking at it when I take a shot, so small steps.
I'm enjoying the flash of red. But I did want to say, don't feel that you have to look at everyone's work as you will be exhausted by the end of Feb and possibly may not enjoy yourself that much with the pressure. Perhaps we could all take it on ourselves to comment on one or two people who are also taking part? When you post the thread for this week perhaps you could 'publish' who is taking part and we could all try to help out. Just a thought...
Hi Ann, maybe I did not explain the U properly either - very high contrast shots like your tassell shot has high peaks on the far left and far right - (pixels are mostly either all black or all white) - with not much in the middle. When I said 'native contrast' I was trying to explain expanded tonal range.
His way of explaining good exposure with a U means avoiding clumping of mid-grey pixels in the middle of the histogram. Too much all grey is washed out & bland & he is wanting people to aim for rich black and darks, at one end, and whites and lights - at the other end of the histogram. This shot has those ranges to me, and histograms are guides not rules. :) @dibzgreasley@salza - I really very rarely use histogram when shooting, mostly just to check I haven't clipped the highlights because if they are blown, you cant get them back. I do use use it when editing & fine tuning exposures though.
Ansel Adams zone system is a similar concept that I understand in theory, but have never been able to actually put into practice. https://luminous-landscape.com/zone-system/
@salza Thanks Sally! Yes, I'm finding it a mixed blessing. But Lyn's additional input makes so much more sense and now I don't think I have to be so adamant about getting that U! @juleshoogstraanderson If you read up on the first week summary Jules, I go over what the book has to say about it- but that being said, it's simply a graph that shows the range of tones in your picture. You can have it showing while you're taking the shot and/or when you review it. When you press the little camera by your view finder, it will go through different ways you can view the shot. The histogram should show up on one of them. You can see it in review by going through the "info" menu when your camera is in review mode. It's helpful in the sense that it helps you to see where your highlights and dark spots are. But it's purely optional to use it. Some people like it and some people find it useless. For me, it's somewhere in the middle. I don't think I'll use it a lot after this week, but I may use it more in post processing. @dibzgreasley Thank you Debs- a good word indeed and advice well-received! I'm making a note of your suggestion and will add it into the weekly review. After I typed this commentary I sort of came to a similar conclusion- but yours was better said! @vickiesampson Thanks Vickie! The Flash of Red comes on Feb. 14th when we use selective coloring and bring out one spot of red in the daily photograph. It will be further explained in this week's post and links will be provided for some "how to" instruction if you need it. As for the lens, it's a Canon Compact Macro lens EF 50 mm 1:25. I just get as close as I can while the subject still stays in focus. It was a surprise gift and I am really enjoying it! @wendyfrost Thank you Wendy! @ltodd Thank you so much Lyn for that great explanation. As I read through this book and think about my own process of shooting, I'm realizing that I will probably not use the histogram that much once I've finished the month! At least for shooting- but I will probably use it for checking what the range is in my shots when I'm curious about it. I can definitely see it being more practical the way you use it. And I will certainly read that link about Ansel Adams when I have some time. Thanks for the histogram lesson- it is very much appreciated!! @annied Thank you Annie! @bokehdot Thank you Michelle! @alia_801 Thank you Alia!
Nice detail in the shot and nice range of "color"! I too have found the histogram a bit elusive and am somewhat following your lead by not being totally bound to it! You have, however pushed me to find it on my camera and at least look at it even though I don't always follow it! You also have raised my awareness about what it's all about and for that I thank you!
I'm trying to learn histograms and I'm so confused at the moment but I think it'll get easier with time! I really love the lines in this photo and your tones. Thank you for running this challenge! I'm learning so much :)
@dishaparekh176 Don't stress over them too much. They can be helpful but it's not critical to a good shot to have a complete understanding of them. If you find yourself too overwhelmed by them, don't use them. I've learned from some experts here that while they can be useful, they are not necessary for you to take or get a good shot. Use them if they are helpful; so not use them if they are a distraction.
This sure jumps out at me. I like it. I haven't really used the histogram on the camera yet, just in processing. This week I will try to use it before I take my shots to see what difference it makes to my pictures.
@beachdog Thanks Barb! If you read some of the comments by Frank and Lyn on the Week 1 discussion page you'll see a range of when and how to use them. I must say, it's interesting to me, but I don't think I'll use it all the time. Lyn does not use it when she's taking the shots but does like using it in post-processing. So, I think you've already found a good way to use it. Experiment anyway- it's fun to play sometimes!
Thank you Tracy and Lisa!
I'm enjoying the flash of red. But I did want to say, don't feel that you have to look at everyone's work as you will be exhausted by the end of Feb and possibly may not enjoy yourself that much with the pressure. Perhaps we could all take it on ourselves to comment on one or two people who are also taking part? When you post the thread for this week perhaps you could 'publish' who is taking part and we could all try to help out. Just a thought...
His way of explaining good exposure with a U means avoiding clumping of mid-grey pixels in the middle of the histogram. Too much all grey is washed out & bland & he is wanting people to aim for rich black and darks, at one end, and whites and lights - at the other end of the histogram. This shot has those ranges to me, and histograms are guides not rules. :) @dibzgreasley @salza - I really very rarely use histogram when shooting, mostly just to check I haven't clipped the highlights because if they are blown, you cant get them back. I do use use it when editing & fine tuning exposures though.
great tones Ann
@juleshoogstraanderson If you read up on the first week summary Jules, I go over what the book has to say about it- but that being said, it's simply a graph that shows the range of tones in your picture. You can have it showing while you're taking the shot and/or when you review it. When you press the little camera by your view finder, it will go through different ways you can view the shot. The histogram should show up on one of them. You can see it in review by going through the "info" menu when your camera is in review mode. It's helpful in the sense that it helps you to see where your highlights and dark spots are. But it's purely optional to use it. Some people like it and some people find it useless. For me, it's somewhere in the middle. I don't think I'll use it a lot after this week, but I may use it more in post processing.
@dibzgreasley Thank you Debs- a good word indeed and advice well-received! I'm making a note of your suggestion and will add it into the weekly review. After I typed this commentary I sort of came to a similar conclusion- but yours was better said!
@vickiesampson Thanks Vickie! The Flash of Red comes on Feb. 14th when we use selective coloring and bring out one spot of red in the daily photograph. It will be further explained in this week's post and links will be provided for some "how to" instruction if you need it. As for the lens, it's a Canon Compact Macro lens EF 50 mm 1:25. I just get as close as I can while the subject still stays in focus. It was a surprise gift and I am really enjoying it!
@wendyfrost Thank you Wendy!
@ltodd Thank you so much Lyn for that great explanation. As I read through this book and think about my own process of shooting, I'm realizing that I will probably not use the histogram that much once I've finished the month! At least for shooting- but I will probably use it for checking what the range is in my shots when I'm curious about it. I can definitely see it being more practical the way you use it. And I will certainly read that link about Ansel Adams when I have some time. Thanks for the histogram lesson- it is very much appreciated!!
@annied Thank you Annie!
@bokehdot Thank you Michelle!
@alia_801 Thank you Alia!
@bkbinthecity Thank you Brian!
very creative
Thank you Karen, Alta, Nina, Rick and Disha!
@dishaparekh176 Don't stress over them too much. They can be helpful but it's not critical to a good shot to have a complete understanding of them. If you find yourself too overwhelmed by them, don't use them. I've learned from some experts here that while they can be useful, they are not necessary for you to take or get a good shot. Use them if they are helpful; so not use them if they are a distraction.