Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

What does clipping in a histogram indicate?

1. Loss of image resolution

2. Pure white highlights and pure black shadows

3. Increased image contrast

4. Reduced color fidelity

The correct answer is: Pure white highlights and pure black shadows

Clipping in a histogram refers to the point where the data in the image's tonal range is so extreme that it loses detail in the brightest highlights and darkest shadows. When the histogram displays peaks at the extreme right and left ends, it indicates that some areas of the image are completely white or completely black. This means there is no information in those areas; therefore, detail has been lost. Pure white highlights are shown as a spike on the right side of the histogram, while pure black shadows appear as a spike on the left side. This effect can create flat-looking images and affects exposure dramatically, as those clipped areas will not be recoverable in post-processing. Therefore, recognizing clipping in a histogram is crucial for photographers to ensure they retain the detail necessary for high-quality images. Understanding this concept allows photographers to make better exposure decisions during shooting, which can significantly impact the final quality of their work.