Waveform

The waveform graphs luminance (brightness) laid left-to-right across the frame: the bottom line is pure black, the top is pure white, and the trace shows how much of the image sits at each brightness, matched to its horizontal position. Kept on the Y (luminance) channel, it’s the scope you set exposure and contrast against, and where you spot clipping and crushing.

First used in: 1.2 · Scopes

Used in: Used to verify exposure and contrast in 1.3 · Primaries and 1.6 · Balancing a shot.