overexposed/underexposed

[sandro9mm]

People here look at the pic and say if its step or two step over/underexposed. I can never tell difference, I can see mild tendencies... but I can never tell for sure, maybe I'm not lookin at the right thing?

may be I smoke to much,

but yes, help would be awesome,

[liza]

Pull it up on Photoshop and look at the histogram. That should tell you for sure.

[Hellashot]

It will come with experience. You'll also be able to tell if white balance on a shot is off by just looking at it. If you look at enough pictures and process enough RAW files, it will help.

[PhotosGuy]

Pull it up on Photoshop and look at the histogram. Why not use the LCD for that? It's accurate enough for him to get the idea, & he can set the cam to show both the image & the histogram at the same time. (The only way I shoot.)
Take a series of shots of the same thing on "M" with different exposures & see what the histogram looks like, so you'll know what to expect in another situation.

Workflow Technique #041 - Watch your Histogram (http://www.outbackphoto.com/workflow/wf_41/essay.html)

Understanding Histograms (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-histograms.shtml)

Halfway down this page: Histogram Tips (http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/tips/histogram_tips.php)

More: Gray card: Why your meter may be lying to you! (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54281)
I found something that I didn't expect! Look at the gray patch at the end of the 2nd pic. It's a medium brown!

What’s best for exposure, Gray cards, white paper, expensive attachments for the lens?
Gray Card…White Paper. What’s best? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58677)

Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)
Don’t have a gray or white card, or hand held meter with you? “Film tricks” can help you out.