Learn the Terms > Exposure > Photographic Examples
Photographic Examples of Exposure
Under, over and right in the middle
The following photographs show the difference between an underexposed photo, one that is correctly exposed and one that is overexposed.
Photo One — Underexposed
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The flower with the dew on it is a pure white.
Since I underexposed the image when I took the photograph, the white flower looks more like a grey flower. |
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Photo Two — Correct Exposure
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Here the flower is correctly exposed, and appears white as it should.
There are still some areas of grey, but these are shadows on the surface of the flower, and should be represented as a darker color. |
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Photo Three — Overexposed
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In attempting to capture the white flower in my photo I have gone too far.
All the detail in the flower is lost, and you can barely even tell that there is dew on it While the green leaves in the background are now clearer, the flower is the subject so it should be properly exposed. |
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