Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

In a histogram that ranges from 0-255, what does zero represent?

1. Gray

2. White

3. Black

4. Red

The correct answer is: Black

In a histogram that ranges from 0 to 255, zero represents the darkest value in the image, which is black. The histogram is a graphical representation of the tonal distribution in an image, with the x-axis representing the intensity levels, where 0 corresponds to no light (black) and 255 represents the maximum intensity (white). This range helps photographers analyze the exposure and tonal balance of their images. Values in between, such as 128, would represent mid-tones or grays, while extreme values close to 255 indicate lighter shades. Understanding this mapping is crucial for effective image editing and exposure adjustments, as it allows photographers to see where their image falls within this range and make necessary corrections.