[Dewman]

Can someone please explain to a newbie to digital processing what benefit there is to having the "histogram" feature on my software? I realize that it shows the levels of the primary colors....but, what can I do with it? What good is it? Why have it?

Be aware, I'm very new at digital photography and some of the technical terms are confusing to me. Kinda' like when you were first learning about computers....know what I mean?

Thanks for any light you can shed on this subject.

Regards,
Dewman

[Chaos_Realm]

Can someone please explain to a newbie to digital processing what benefit there is to having the "histogram" feature on my software? I realize that it shows the levels of the primary colors....but, what can I do with it? What good is it? Why have it?

Be aware, I'm very new at digital photography and some of the technical terms are confusing to me. Kinda' like when you were first learning about computers....know what I mean?

Thanks for any light you can shed on this subject.

Regards,
Dewman

The histogram, show your exposure. If most of the graph is to the left then then your shot tends to be under exposed slightly, and to the right, over exposed slightly. You might also notice at the very ends might get a spike, This indicates that your getting clipping. Again if its to the left you will be getting clipping of detail in the shadows as it is under exposed too much. Anything spiking at the very right edge of the histogram is your "blown highlights".
Having this in the software allows you to get visual idea of how the exposure is balanced in the shot.

This web site has a pretty good explanation to possibly give a better description. Understanding Histograms

[Dewman]

Thanks for you easily understood explanation. The tutorial was extremely helpful, also. I saved it in my ever-increasing folder of digital processing information.

I found the "digital merging" of the two scenes in the tutorial to be most interesting and something I want to try, once I learn more about the basics.

I'm most appreciative of your help.
Regards,
Dewman
Idaho, USA

[Chaos_Realm]

Thanks for you easily understood explanation. The tutorial was extremely helpful, also. I saved it in my ever-increasing folder of digital processing information.

I found the "digital merging" of the two scenes in the tutorial to be most interesting and something I want to try, once I learn more about the basics.

I'm most appreciative of your help.
Regards,
Dewman
Idaho, USA

Not a worry,

I actually forgot to mention my favourite web site for learning: Cambridge in Colour
I would put their web site at the top of my photography reading list. If you go to their tutorials there is a wealth knowledge with very clear explanations. More relevantly in their Editing & post processing tutorials you will find information on the histogram.