350D (Rebel XT) Underexposed

[derek@metronet.co.uk]

I have just started to use my new 350 and it is producing underexposed images. On the two occasions I have used it I had it set to Av as I wanted to reduce the depth of field, once photograthing my daughter surfing and the other of her in the marathon. Both occasions were bright but slightly overcast days. with the white balance set to cloudy, and the iso was 200 with the lens opened up at about f4. One lot of photos with a 70-200 and the other 28-135.

Both lots of photos required a lot of work with photoshop cs to bring up all of the photographs to an acceptable. The only thing I can think of is the metering mode.

[roanjohn]

Yes...........what metering mode were you in? And show some pics so we can help you better.

:-)

Ro1

[Hellashot]

Do searches on here for both, they've both been talked about on here a lot before (Av metering and overall underexposing of the 10D, 20D, Drebel, and XT)

[tim]

Like Roan said, I suggest reading about metering modes in your manual, partial metering in particular. Be careful using partial metering with non-centre focus points.

[derek@metronet.co.uk]

Image attached taken on Av with partial metering.

[roanjohn]

You used partial metering.........which will meter right on the center...........her shirt is white........hence the underexposure. On this scene, I would probably use Evaluative.........

Ro1

[derek@metronet.co.uk]

Thanks for the advice, but I took a similar photo on Av but with Evaluative metering when she was surfing in a black wet suit and it still came out underexposed.

Derek

[Ken Fong]

Can you re-create the problem under controlled (at home) situations?
If not, one possible explanation may be that, during the event, exposure compensation was dialed down when you thought you were changing the aperture.

[tim]

It's a difficult shot. That picture has a huge dynamic range - the sun on a white shirt, and the shadows on the left side of her face (the right side of the picture). Also, she's moving so you'll have to be on AI servo with a non-centre focus point selected, unless you focus and take the shot very quickly. Evaluative metering probably would be best, and you'd have to use flash fill if you wanted to get her whole face.

[Curtis N]

"... I took a similar photo on Av but with Evaluative metering when she was surfing in a black wet suit and it still came out underexposed."

Again, it would be easier to answer if we saw the picture (hint).

[roanjohn]

Ok......now I am looking at it in a better monitor.............This photo is not "severely" underexposed............Just a little curve adjustment and this photo will be porperly exposed. I don't think its that bad............

Ro1