fiew finder vs computer screen

[ntang]

I am new to the digital and am having a problem with viewing photos. The pictures appear great in the view finder but too dark on the computer. Is this normal which do I go by.

[tpinchback]

What mode are you shooting in?

Do you have any examples?

Welcome to the fourm

[RichardtheSane]

Don't go by how bright they look on the LCD, ever. It is wrong.

If you want to check the exposure I would suggest learning the features offered by the histogram. Until then trust the computer monitor.

[WestFalcon]

I've noticed that my screen on the 10D's and 20D's look good when the exposure is good...I always use the histograms too. When I view them on my computers at home, they always look dark but they correct perfectly and I have no problem...A dark image on my computer is normal for me even on perfectly exposed pictures. I have a calibrated screen and they print perfectly at my lab. I always use large jpegs.

[WestFalcon]

I've noticed that my screen on the 10D's and 20D's look good when the exposure is good...I always use the histograms too. When I view them on my computers at home, they always look dark but they correct perfectly and I have no problem...A dark image on my computer is normal for me even on perfectly exposed pictures. I have a calibrated screen and they print perfectly at my lab. I always use large jpegs.

[chops]

To help remedy this problem, I turned the brightness on the LCD screen all the way down, but I always use the histogram also. I have it set to pop up every time I take a picture.

[Agaric]

You cant always trust the image playback. You can trust the histogram.


Jesper gave me this link and it made a world of difference after I read it. Now I am happy to pass it on to you :D

Understanding Histograms

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-histograms.shtml

[ntang]

Wow, I cannot even begin to Thank all that responded to my question so quickly and so infomatively. I really appreciate it and I will be asking so many more questions as time goes by. My husband is the one who found you guys and I am just so grateful. The whole histogram thing, I had no clue and thank you so much for pointing that out and showing me what it is and how to use it. Also, I turned down my LCD panel light all the way and think that will really help me in the future. It now is exactly how it appears on my computer screen. It was extremely frustrating for me and for it to be something so simple is so relieving.

I do want to give a little history about what I'm embarking upon in my life. I have just started a home based photography business and will be focusing mainly on pregnant women, babies and families. I have been extremely successful using natural light in "God's country" using the beautiful outdoors, but I've found the whole "studio" setting and learning about aperatures/shutter speed to be extremely confusing and intimidating. I'm in the process of purchasing a lighting unit and was considering an Alienbees 800 watt light with a large Octabox. I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about light systems and will be doing this out of a small area in my home. What would you recommend as far as a small studio that will mainly be focusing on one individual or small groups? (also I have very large windows and lots of natural light in the main living area of my home, but was thinking about using the area in our finished basement, which basically has no natural light. Which would work better?) Also, would you recommend an external flash for my camera?
O.k., I'm totally rambling and will ask more questions as I go. AGain, thank you so much for all your help.
Nikki

[tim]

Nikki, maybe a beginners photography course would help? If you can find one, a beginners digital course would be even better. I did a beginners digital course and it definitely helped me, it explained all the basics, and having a professional available for your questions is invaluable. The guys here are great, but talking to someone face to face can be very useful.

Tim

[DocFrankenstein]

Don't even look at how pictures "look" at the viewfinder. At this point, the viewfinder is for checking composition and histogram.

Everything else on the computer.

[teazR]

I think the problem is in your monitor gamma... You need Adobe gamma or similar program to change that.

[robertwgross]

Don't even look at how pictures "look" at the viewfinder. At this point, the viewfinder is for checking composition and histogram.

Everything else on the computer.

The viewfinder can check a histogram???

---Bob Gross---