Creative photography

[Tek-69]

I'm having trouble shooing outdoors in shady areas. I love taking pictures in the woods but often I'm getting dark images. I can adjust some of them to look good using the Gnu Image Manipulation Program,  but sometimes I can't and I end up with photos that look kinda hazy. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do WHILE taking the pics? I use a nikon coolpixs L3 digicam.

[ShutterbugGail]

Try using exposure compensation. Your camera may have auto bracketing too, so check the manual:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/toptips/exposure-tips.php


http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/advanced-settings/ec.php

Also, try metering for the darker area; not the darkest though. Take several shots of the same scene to help ensure you get at least one good one.

You will probably still have to do a bit of adjusting.

[Deb]

Hi Tek-69, are you using the built-in flash? What mode are you shooting in?

Since the images are turning out too dark, I'm going to assume that they are being underexposed. This can be caused by many things. For instance, if there is a bright highlight in the scene, that could cause the metering system to overestimate how bright the overall scene actually is. If your camera has different metering modes (matrix, center-weighted, spot), try using center-weighted or spot over the shaded areas. If your camera does not have this option, then frame your image and notice your exposure settings. Next, move the camera so that the little focus zone indicator is over a shady area. Do you see a difference in the exposure settings. If so, use this exposure.

Another cause is that the scene is actually darker than your camera is capable of exposing for. That is, the scene exceeds your camera's ISO, aperture and shutterspeed (and flash) combination. If you can adjust your ISO value to a more light sensitive value, go ahead and do so. Many cameras have an out-of-range indicator. If you notice that your seeing something blinking in the viewfinder, chances are that is the out-of-range indicator and it is letting you know that your image will be under-(or over-)exposed.

Is it possible the scene required a flash? Was your built-in flash active? If so, you could have been out of range (distance-wise) of the flash's output ability.

I could go on but I think you get the picture (sorry, I couldn't pass on the pun)!    Many causes can result in dark images. Give some of the above suggestions a try and see if they improve.

[Tek-69]

Thanks for all the info. It's funny i didn't catch on to certain things until you mentioned them. Like the focus and out-of-range indicators. I saw them both and it never really clicked what they were, as silly as that sounds. I read my manual but I guess I didn't really READ it. This gives me alot to work with and hopefully will help improve my pics. :)

[Deb]

Don't fret it.    Camera manuals often need to be read over ... and over ... and over again.    

[Mike54]

I read my manual but I guess I didn't really READ it.

Nobody ever really does...

[ShutterbugGail]

Nobody ever really does...

I know I'm a bore   but I actually read the manual, and more than once. In fact I think it's so important I wrote an article about how to read a camera manual.  

Here 'tis:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/for-newbies/camera-manual.php

[Deb]

Tip: Carry your manual with you when out in the field. It does come in handy. They often seem to fit in a back hip pocket. Hmmmmmm, I wonder if that's deliberate?