Digital cameras 101

[gemstars]

Hi!

This is my first post so sorry in advance if I'm not posting in the correct place. I hope someone will be able to help me.

I was given this camera for my birthday and I'm not happy with the images it's taking. Outside shots are very dark (I will try to upload an example for you to look at).

I can change the image brightness settings in the manual mode but as this is just a compact camera and I am not an experienced photographer I feel like I should just be able to point and click in the auto or landscape modes and get halfway decent pictures outdoors, so I'm wondering if there's something wrong with the camera. Has anyone heard of similar problems with this model?

Thanks in advance!
Gemma

[bdery]

Hi and welcome!

I'm not fully familiar with Fuji cameras, but maybe a setting has been offset somewhere. I would suggest resetting the camera to factory settings. If that doesn't work, try to see if there's an option to set an Exposure Value (or EV) Compensation. Maybe that's the problem.

[ShutterbugGail]

It would be really helpful if you can post a photo or two so we can see and better asses the problem. If you can't post, then feel free to email one or two images to me and I'll respond here.

First thing I'd do is reset the camera. If it doesn't have a reset button, take the batteries out for a couple of hours. Speaking of batteries, are the ones you've been using fully charged?

Also, did you receive the camera new, or is it a used one?

[gemstars]

Hi!

Thanks for your replies. I've taken some photos with my new camera and my old Kodak P850 to compare. I'm assuming your on Flickr so I've uploaded some unedited photos to my account http://www.flickr.com/photos/gemstars/

There is no ability to change the EV other than in the manual mode, I've reset the camera so I'll try taking some more pictures this afternoon although I don't think anything had been changed. The battery was fully charged and the camera was new.

Thanks again for your help! It's much appreciated!

Gemma

[ShutterbugGail]

I've looked through a number of your photos and the reason some of the outside ones are dark is because they are backlit. The camera exposed for the sky so the foreground is dark.

I believe "manual" mode on your camera is not a true manual mode, so use it. It is a fully automatic mode but gives you access to a few settings such as Exposure Compensation. You are absolutely correct the changing the EV could have improved the exposure.

This technique will be helpful to you when taking backlit scenes.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/basic-techniques/fe-lock.php

Give us a link to a specific photo and we can discuss it more specifically.

[ShutterbugGail]

As an aside, I note you're shooting at very high ISO numbers, not typically necessary for outside shots: ISO 800 and 1600. Is there a reason? Make sure you camera isn't set to a high ISO mode if it has one. High ISO is usually used when taking photos in low light.

If you want to the camera to select the ISO, keep it set to Auto ISO, not High ISO mode for outside shots.

[gemstars]

Hi!

Thanks for looking into this for me. The camera chooses it's own ISO but I will try putting it in manual mode and changing the ISO and EV.

My concern was that there was something wrong with the camera light sensor but if you think it's just a case of fine tuning the settings I will work on this.

Thanks again for your help!
Gemma

[ShutterbugGail]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the camera, it's just getting  used to it. It's easy to compare a new camera to an older one, but they are different.

I owned the F20, which is an older version of your model. While your camera has more advanced features such as face detection, you may find some of my settings helpful:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/10/settings.php

I also have some tips in the blog about using the F20 that may also be helpful.

You have a very nice new camera. Give yourself some time with it. If you have additional questions along the way, please don't hesitate asking us.