Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

A histogram typically represents an approximate range of how many stops?

1. 3

2. 5

3. 7

4. 9

The correct answer is: 5

A histogram in photography provides a visual representation of the distribution of tones in an image, ranging from shadows to highlights. The correct answer reflects that a typical histogram represents an approximate range of about five stops. This range encompasses the dynamic range that can be captured in a photograph, from deep shadows (0 stops or very dark tones) to bright highlights (5 stops or very light tones). Each stop represents a doubling or halving of light, which helps photographers assess exposure and tonal distribution efficiently. By understanding this five-stop range, photographers can evaluate whether an image is properly exposed. If the histogram shows data that flattens out against the left edge, it indicates that there are lost details in the shadows due to underexposure. Conversely, if the distribution is pushed against the right edge, this suggests highlight clipping due to overexposure. Selecting this range is fundamental, as it aligns with common photographic practices and the technical limitations of cameras, which typically have a dynamic range that can adequately capture five stops of light and detail.