A day at the beach...

....Let me start by saying that I'm new to "technical" photography having always used "dummy" mode til recently. I'm learning little bits each time. I was thrilled that I caught this shot! I know it's probably underexposed and has other issues, but I still can't help smiling when I see it. What would your suggestions be to do better next time? I don't currently have any photo-editing software so what I shoot is what I get for right now.

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daystar, its a nice capture. the image is a little bit under exposed, and can use more contrast. also a little more light on the kid would have been nice with fill flash. this all can be fixed in post processing, if you want to turn on "image editing is ok" under your profile.

OK, it's on. Thanks!

here is a quick edit, with some boost in colors, little fill light, and little boost in contrast

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Wow! What a difference! Thanks!

What can I do to get better images on cloudy days?

I use Photoshop Elements 6.. Its cheap and really easy to use. THis is about a 2 minute edit..

https://photography-on-the.net …297275&stc=1&d=​1218903970

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daystar wrote in post #6118843
Wow! What a difference! Thanks!

What can I do to get better images on cloudy days?

You can set your W/B to cloudy for one (if you did not).

Daystar, there is unfortunately no simple formula. read the manual of your camera, and read the book "understanding exposure" I think it is by scott kelby. for this image to come out right from the camera, you needed to use a touch of fill flash.
You can set your white ballance to cloudy to get warmer images. the light tends to be dull on cloudy days, and you may need to boost contrast and colors a little in post processing. I hear its a good time to shoot folliage, with a circular polarizer, though I have not tired it myself.