SX10is,some photos are somewhat whiter

[Joe M]

I am learning allot with this new camera.(SX10is) While taking photos of the sea gulls, some were whiter then others. The one I show here is one that shows what I am talking about. I would appreciate any help you all can give me in making better photographs. I included a photo with the information from it.
I love reading everything here.

File Name 412035.jpg
Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
Shooting Date/Time 4/12/2009 3:51:26 PM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
My Colors Mode Custom Color
Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/100
Av (Aperture Value) 8.0
Light Metering Center Weighted Avg.
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 80
Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm
Focal Length 26.0 mm
Digital Zoom None
IS Mode On
Image Size 3648x2736
Image Quality Fine
Flash Off
White Balance Auto
AF Mode Continuous AF
Parameters
Contrast +1
Sharpness +1
Saturation Normal
Color Space sRGB
File Size 4353 KB
Drive Mode Single-frame shooting

Thank you,
Joe M

[Jon]

What problem? I don't see anything white except what I'd expect to (gulls, foam from breaking waves). If there's any difference in whiteness among the gulls it's from how the sun reflects off their feathers when they're at different angles.

[originalstarlite]

Joe, I use custom colors plus 1 for sharpness, but not for contrast. I'd turn that off and see if those highlights tone down. They look blown on your example.

[Joe M]

I thank you for your help. I will be going there tomorrow and I will do better with you help.
Joe

[MikeMcL]

might try taking it off center weighted metering as an experiment

In my experience, if the center of the frame is a very dark or very light object, it will throw the exposure off a bit.

The catch here is that the center weighted is a good way to shoot alot of things you'd encounter in many situations... car racing, faces, single ojects...

sorry i cant be more help. that camera would be my point and shoot if it had RAW... i love it.

[PhotoFranz]

My SX10 IS tends to blow out highlights a bit and it looks like some highlights are blown out in yours too. I have been shooting with exposure compensation at EV -2/3 and it helps a bit. This past Friday, I did some shooting at the Milwaukee zoo and when outside, I attached my Lensmate adaptor with a CPL filter on it. This helped me to eliminate some reflected light and get better exposures.

You can see 8 of the shots I took here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=680074

[gitarmac]

I rarely if ever shoot in auto. I use the program mode so I can adjust the Exposure compensation. I usually have it at -1/3 but sometimes more.

[Joe M]

I just purchased a Lensmate adaptor with a CPL filter on it. This is a photo I just shot with it. The CPL did help a lot. I will try the program mode next and -1/3 or more Exposure compensation.
I would like to take photo's like your bird. The sharpness is great. I thank you all for your help.
Joe

[PhotoFranz]

Well, that bird was shot without the CPL as it was inside and I had not put in the EV -.667. If you look at it, the white of the "mustash" is pretty badly blown out. Over all, I am quite happy with the SX10.

[skid00skid00]

If you mean that in some pics, the birds are *brighter* than in other pics, that's because the camera uses the whole image to determine exposure. You can go to spot metering to help with this, or set a manual exposure. Meter on empty sky, and set EV +1 to +2.

[Joe M]

I thank you, I will do it and see, it is great to hear from all of you to help.
Thank you
Joe