Auto Levels

[Persephone]

is it bad to rely on Auto Levels in PS for brightening photographs? Due to my inexperience (use of P mode and a lack of live view not tipping me off to too-dark images) a lot of photographs are coming out dark. Mimicking my photo editor, I used the levels and manually slid the levels around...then I tried auto levels...and the pictures instantly brightened up a lot more than I had dared to go. Is it bad to rely on these tools? I used to use Auto Color and stuff before as well.

[tim]

If it looks good to you then it is good. You'd probably be better off learning how to make a good exposure though, you get better image quality that way. Check the resources link in my sig, it looks to a book thread. Check out "understanding exposure".

[bohdank]

It's a good place to start. Try Auto Color/Auto Levels and adjust further, if needed, from that starting point.

Whatever works for you.