Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Which term refers to the amount of detail that can be captured in highlights and shadows without losing data?

1. Color fidelity

2. Dynamic range

3. Image sharpness

4. Exposure time

The correct answer is: Dynamic range

The term that refers to the amount of detail that can be captured in highlights and shadows without losing data is dynamic range. Dynamic range is crucial in photography because it defines the spectrum of light intensities from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights that a camera sensor or film can capture effectively. A camera with a high dynamic range can render a scene with a greater variety of light levels, allowing for more subtle details in both bright and dark areas. In contrast, color fidelity pertains to the accuracy with which colors are reproduced in an image, focusing on how true to life the colors are. Image sharpness relates to the clarity and details in an image, which are influenced by factors such as focus and lens quality but do not directly address the depth of highlights and shadows. Exposure time affects how long the sensor is exposed to light, impacting the overall brightness of the image rather than the range of detail captured in different light levels. Thus, dynamic range is essential for capturing a well-balanced image with detail across varying light conditions.