How to use Histogram feature in Nikon D50?

Question

I use Nikon D50, with 18-55 lens, but I found that using histogram feature in Nikon D50 is bit hard. In fact I have not been able to use it. Does anyone know how to use it, and what are the benefits of histogram?

Answer 1

You can use the histogram to check if the exposure was correct.
When you review a picture and pull up the histogram, you'll usually see a pattern that resembles a bell curve. If that curve is squished to the left of the screen, you've underexposed - a lot of shadow areas will be completely black. And if the curve is squished to the right of the screen, you've over-exposed - a lot of highlights are completely white. Here's a detailed explanation: http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-histograms.shtml
The common advice is to 'expose to the right'. That means to expose the shot so that the curve is as far as possible to the right of the box, without actually blowing any highlights. Here's more on the reasoning behind that: http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/expose-right.shtml

Answer 2

Yes in the begining it is pretty hard to use it because the controls are not intuitive. But after some time you will get used to the controls.

Histogram is a very important feature and it helps in obtaining a correct exposure. When you see the histogram is towards the left, then the picture is underexposed. If a portion of the histogram touches the top that means the highlights are blown out.

So take care to adjust the exposure so that the histogram doesn't touch either of the sides or the top of the histogram doesn't touch the top of the screen.