I hate to admit how dumb I am!

Okay, I'm just a little bit lost here. I have a fundamental question that I should probably know the answer to, but I'm just not very savvy when it comes to the technical aspect of photography.

When I take photos with my G1, even on a bright summer day, everything comes out dark. I end up tweaking every single photo in Adobe Photoshop, or sometimes just on Zoombrowser, but I rarely download a photo that looks even remotely normal. Faces are dark, skin tones are dark, almost as if I'm always shooting towards the sun. Today I took photos of kids in the swimming pool and they're just awful! (But the pictures I took with a 35 mm. turned out fabulous.) Is this just the nature of digital photography? I'm beginning to hate my stupid camera! (Much easier to blame the equipment than myself!)

Should I adjust something on the camera? If so, what? I normally shoot in auto mode, and I don't know why that wouldn't at least render at the very least adequate photos. I'm getting a little weary of having to make major adjustments in brightness, contrast, curves, or whatever I can get to make each photo look sharp enough to see any detail. Is there something I can do? I'm at my wit's end.

First make sure all of your settings are neutral (contrast, exposure compensation, etc.)

Take a shot and post it here with the EXIF data, or make a RAW file available to us for download, so we can check your settings.

It's possible that it's your monitor, too, so posting a file will let others see what you should be seeing.

Mimi,

You could have several different problems:

1) Dynamic range (difference between bright and dark) for a digital camera is not the same like for a film camera. Also the digital camera would be tricked by the difference between light and dark areas (example: half picture bright sky area). Try fixing the best exposure when pointing to the proper area (using * button).
Don't shoot against the sun! Also try using your digital camera with soft sun light (morning 8:00-10:00 or evening 17:00-19:00). All the Canon camera's example photos are shooted in this time period (http://www.canon.co.jp​/Imaging/BeBit-e.html - check Exif data of example photos from Canon BeBit page).

2) You may need to use some filters - I prefer always using UV filter near water, also PL filter in sunny day (90 degrees to the sun) and SkyLight B filter with green background. In bright sunny weather between 12:00-14:00 I prefer shooting only in infrared (infrared filter).

3) You may also have problems with AWB.
Try shooting in Raw, Program mode (never use AUTO).
AWB sometimes could set-up non-proper WB and it is easy to change it in the process of Raw image converting (using Raw image converter or BreezeBrowser). AWB is not working in every situation.
In case you use Jpeg format - always set-up proper WB:
1. Cloudy (outdoor - clouds) or fluorescent (outdoor - black clouds);
2. Tungsten (night pictures);
3. Cloudy (indoor or shady place);
4. Custom (mixed light sources).
The best is shooting only in Raw.

4) Exposure compensation (I normally use -1/3). Sometimes you may need to set-up different exposure compensation. Example: when you shoot white or yellow macro object (flower) you need to set-up exposure compensation properly (may be about +1 1/3).

Greeting,
Roumen
http://www.pbase.com/m​ysamples

Mimi,

maybe the 'Exposure compensation' button is set to something like -3.

Try posting a photo here and also the full EXIF information. That would help to locate the problem.

Regards,
Andy

same problem

Mimi,
i know you posted this issue almost a year ago but i am curious if you ever solved the problem. i have the exact same problem and i do not know what to do. The pictures look perfect on the cameras lcd window but when i upload to zoombrowser everything becomes darker.

Adam

If your camera has the option of choosing which area to meter for light, then set it spot or centre weighted. It could be that it is metering from the whole scene and averaging out for a 'general' exposure [even then I'm not sure all pictures would be underexposed]. On spot or centre weighted you can use the focus square/dot to meter a midtone and then press the exposure lock button while you reposition the frame. I don't use the same cam as you so I'm afraid I can't tell you the exact buttons for these settings. Also as suggested already, do check your exposure compensation values and try moving them to +1 or +2 if necessary.

Good luck.

Adam,

how do the prints look like?

Problem might also be your monitor calibration (e.g. when using a laptop)

Best regards,
Andy

The G1 is a capable camera. I am willing to bet that it is some setting that is throwing your photos off. Do post sample pictures with EXIF and we'll have an answer to you in a few minutes.

Thanks.

Everyone else commented really well on your problem and you should be able to find the answer. The only thing I would like to say is AUTO setting doesn't make half of the options available while making a shot. Look on the back cover of your manual. The day I got my new G3 a year ago, I had to go to an affair and take a few pictures. I didn't have time to familiarize myself with the camera, so I put it on AUTO to be safe. I had to take a few shots in the shade, so I put the flash on. The flash wouldn't fire, and beads of sweat appeared on my brow trying to figure out what was wrong. Thanks to PS I was able to lighten up the shots and save the day. After reading the manual I discovered the flash doesn't work in AUTO. Use P instead! I don't know what is the advantage of even having AUTO on the camera. Does anyone?

Flash DOES work in Auto

twl845,

Just double-checked on my G3. In Auto, flash is either Off or Auto (no forced On for fill-flash), and flash level adjustment is not available.
In P and other modes, all flash adjustments are possible.

I use Auto mode for "snapshot" pictures, set with M1 resolution. All other modes except Panorama are set in L resolution. I've also set the flash compensation to -2/3 stops in P, Av and Tv.

Auto is very handy when loaning the camera to a neophyte to use, since it significantly reduces "button intimidation."

Dfrost, Thanks a lot! I had tried to click the flash on in auto mode, looking for the lighning rod in the display which it won't do. I don't remember why it wouldn't flash though. Just now when I clicked the trigger half way down it appeared and worked when I took a picture. See that, almost a year has gone by and I never figured it out. It's a good thing guys like you are around.