Histogram

Table of contents:

What is a histogram?

A histogram is a graph that represents the brightness distribution of a video, showing shadows, midtones, and highlights. It’s a tool editors use to assess exposure levels and make adjustments to create balanced lighting in a scene.

histogram legend

How to use a histogram when editing

Use the histogram to monitor exposure levels, ensuring shadows, midtones, and highlights are balanced. Adjust brightness and contrast based on the graph’s peaks.

How do I edit the histogram?

You don’t edit the histogram directly. Instead, you adjust exposure, contrast, shadows, and highlights to change the histogram’s shape.

What does a correct histogram look like?

A correct histogram shows a balanced spread of pixels across shadows, midtones, and highlights, without spikes at the edges that indicate overexposure or underexposure.

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