Camera view screen vs. Computer (Laptop) screen

[shermanthephotographer]

Is it normal for the shots viewed on my DSLR screen to look underexposed compared to how it looks when viewed on my computer?

Basically, the shots on my Canon XTi view screen look underexposed, but when I download them onto my computer, the exposure and white balance look different. Is this normal?

[thekid24]

yes.

laptop screen can display color, contrast differences when the screen is viewed at different angles.

Slowly tilt the screen down....then to the middle...then a little back...see?

[tonylong]

I believe you can adjust the brightness of the XTi's screen. Just know that the camera's LCD display won't give you a "true" reading of your exposure.

The best way of checking your exposure in-camera is to show the histogram. Your manual should both tell you how to set up your display and give you a brief explanation as to how to "read" the histogram's graph and adjust your exposure accordingly. It is only a graph of a jpeg, which if you're shooting in RAW only shows the camera's interpretation of a somewhat narrower range of your exposure, but it is still useful to make sure you are "in the ballpark".

The final result, of course, is your output. You should, with practice, get a good feel of how to work with your camera's settings and get the best results in-camera to get the best results for your output. I takes some working with, but you'll get the hang of it!