Midtone Clipping USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Midtone Clipping Midtone clipping, also known as midtone loss or midtone compression, refers to the loss of detail and tonal information in the midtone regions of an image caused by overexposure or underexposure during image capture. Midtones represent the middle range of tonal values in an image, spanning from shadows to highlights, and are crucial for preserving detail and contrast in the image. When midtone clipping occurs, areas of the image that should display subtle tonal variations and texture appear flat, lacking detail and dimension.

Midtone clipping often occurs in high-contrast scenes with harsh lighting or when the dynamic range of the scene exceeds the capabilities of the camera sensor to capture detail in both shadows and highlights. To mitigate midtone clipping, photographers can use exposure compensation, graduated neutral density filters, or bracketing techniques to capture multiple exposures and blend them together in post-processing. Additionally, careful metering and exposure adjustment can help preserve detail in the midtone regions and ensure optimal image quality.