What Is Middle Gray in Photography and Why Does It Matter?

When you hear the term middle gray, you might be thinking of the halfway point between white and black, only to later learn that photographers refer to middle gray as 12%, 12.8%, or 18%. Why isn’t middle gray 50%? Even aside from percentages, what’s the point of finding or using middle gray at all? This guide will help you understand the important, fundamental concept of middle gray, both for both photography in the field and for the editing process.