Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What does a histogram display in photography?

1. Color balance

2. Brightness values of pixels

3. Sharpness levels of an image

4. Dynamic range of the image

The correct answer is: Brightness values of pixels

A histogram in photography serves as a graphical representation of the brightness values of pixels in an image. It provides valuable insights into the tonal distribution throughout the photograph by plotting the range of brightness on the horizontal axis, from dark (left) to light (right), while the vertical axis represents the number of pixels at each brightness level. Understanding how brightness values are distributed helps photographers assess whether an image is properly exposed. If the histogram shows a concentration of pixels at one end, it may indicate overexposure (if skewed to the right) or underexposure (if skewed to the left). This tool is crucial for making exposure adjustments and achieving the desired look in an image. While the options concerning color balance, sharpness levels, and dynamic range are related to various aspects of image quality, they do not accurately capture what a histogram fundamentally displays. A histogram does not measure color balance or sharpness, and while it provides some indication of dynamic range, it primarily conveys brightness values rather than the full extent of contrast or color data.