What does a histogram represent in photography?

A histogram is a graphical representation that displays the distribution of tones and exposure levels within a photograph, making it essential for understanding how light and dark areas are balanced in an image. The horizontal axis typically represents the range of tones from shadows (black) on the left to highlights (white) on the right, while the vertical axis indicates the number of pixels in each tone.

By analyzing the histogram, photographers can gauge whether an image is properly exposed, underexposed, or overexposed. It helps in adjusting the exposure and dynamic range to achieve the desired effect in the final photograph. This aspect of histograms is crucial for proper image editing and ensuring that details in both the shadows and highlights are preserved.

Other options refer to aspects that are not directly quantified by a histogram. For instance, while color balance is vital for an image, it is not represented in a histogram. Similarly, sharpness and texture/detail pertain more to the image's quality and clarity rather than its tonal distribution. Thus, understanding the histogram and its representation of tone and exposure levels plays a significant role in successful photography practice.