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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> 10D image question
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 12/19/2003 07:45:10 PM · #1
I took a bunch of portrait shots today for some friends. I reviewed them all on the lcd before ending the session, to make sure that I got pretty much everything I wanted. All of the photos looked fine on the lcd (as far as lighting), but when I got home and downloaded them to the PC, some of them were VERY dark, and I am unable to use them at all. WHY did they look OK lighting-wise on the lcd when they are actually so dark?? I am very confused by this, and wonder now if I have to take my laptop everywhere to download to make sure the pics are OK.

Has anyone else had this experience?
 12/19/2003 07:48:45 PM · #2
Maybe your lcd brightness is to high, most of the cameras can adjust it, try this comparing the photos on your computer with the lcd.

I hope you´ll find this helpful.

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 19:48:56.
 12/19/2003 07:51:42 PM · #3
Don't know anything about the camera but does it have histogram display. You can use it to check brightness, color, contrast. Definitely a good feature to have in a camera.

Message edited by author 2003-12-19 19:57:48.
 12/19/2003 08:00:25 PM · #4
Originally posted by faidoi:
Don't know anything about the camera but does it have histogram display. You can use it to check brightness, color, contrast.


*...as she smacks her head in disgust...*

OK, I must have had a "blonde moment". THANK YOU so much for reminding me about the histogram! I completely forgot about using that feature. I actually read an article not long ago that said that that was the ONLY way to make sure your photo was "in the ballpark". My memory ain't what it used to be, obviously!

Thanks ramevi, I'll check on the lcd brightness too. That never occurred to me either!

OK, I've got my user manual out...LOL!
 12/19/2003 08:31:58 PM · #5
Congratulations on the new camera. Funny how you always associate the username with their camera. I was looking at yours and swear I thought you were using a Sony.

One of the most important features on my next camera would have to be in camera "histogram". It would be the most useful feature.
 12/19/2003 10:53:15 PM · #6
I had some what of a problem with that but then I started to change the color temperature setting on the menu and it hasn't happened since. It comes pre-set at 5200 but mine seems to behave much better at 7000 for most shots and then I will change it accordingly.
 12/20/2003 04:45:56 AM · #7
@faidoi: I was using a Sony F707! My husband bought me the 10D for Christmas. I love it, but feel like I need a degree in cameras to learn how to use all the features. LOL!

@sonnyh: Thanks for that information; I'll try it out.

After faidoi pointed out the histogram feature last night, I spent some time going through all the photos I took and examining the histograms. Also went and read a couple of good articles on histograms; so... I now have a much better understanding of how the histogram can tell me what the lcd cannot.
Understanding Histograms

Using Histograms

Message edited by author 2003-12-20 04:46:41.
 12/20/2003 04:57:58 AM · #8
Linda,

Thanks for the links you shared.

I've only had my 10D since July but the learning curve for keeping track of everything that the camera offers is pretty steep. I'm just now starting to regularly see images that I feel comfortable sharing with potential clients or anyone who isn't just a snapshot photographer. You can find any number of good tutorials both here at DPC or elsewhere but unless I'm just a complete idiot or learning challenged, getting used to all the control that has just become your responsibility may take a few months even if the best teachers tell you exactly what to look for.

Hope you enjoy your Christmas present; I know that I wouldn't trade mine for any other camera . . . uhmmmm . . . maybe a 1Ds or a Mamiya with the Valeo digital Leaf back . . . but . . . uhmm . . .nothing else. Yeah, nothing else.

;^)

Kev
 12/20/2003 05:01:10 AM · #9
Many lonely Sonys ;P

Say it 10x fast.

Message edited by author 2003-12-20 08:31:40.
 12/20/2003 08:24:39 AM · #10
Originally posted by sonnyh:
I had some what of a problem with that but then I started to change the color temperature setting on the menu and it hasn't happened since. It comes pre-set at 5200 but mine seems to behave much better at 7000 for most shots and then I will change it accordingly.

The menu-selectable white balance is only meaningful if you have the white balance set to the "K" (Kelvin) setting. You are much better off leaving it set to "AWB" (auto white balance), unless you know what type of light you are shotting in (sun, shade, cloud, incandescent, fluorescent, flash, etc.)
 12/20/2003 09:33:25 AM · #11
Or just shoot in raw mode and forget about wb (i.e. leave set to auto). There are plenty of advantages to shooting in raw mode besides post-shot wb adjustment. If you are shooting raw, it's generally better to try and slightly overexpose, but that's tricky at the best of times. If you've got plenty of cards/storage available, take bracketed shots at about +/- 1/3, 1/2, or 2/3. You can select the best right-exposed shot later.
 12/20/2003 09:52:16 AM · #12
The menu-selectable white balance is only meaningful if you have the white balance set to the "K" (Kelvin) setting. You are much better off leaving it set to "AWB" (auto white balance), unless you know what type of light you are shotting in (sun, shade, cloud, incandescent, fluorescent, flash, etc.)

I disagree with your statement unless you do everything on auto pilot. I just read an article in "Total Digital Photographer" talking about white balance. It spoke about the Kelvin Temperatures for all kinds of conditions. An example is that average daylight kelvin rating is 5500K, direct sunlight is 5200K, overcast day (cloudy)is 6000 - 8000K. With those figures in mind they then recommend these settings -- noon sunlight set at cloudy (6000 - 8000K), shade on sunny day - 7500K etc.
I spent one whole day taking pictures of the same subject trying the different kelvin settings and my pictures are coming out much better since I have adjusted the kelvin setting. I used to have the same problem with the photo appearing fine on the lcd screen and then coming out much darker once uploaded. Changing this kelvin setting has made a big difference. Now what I see is what I get. I rarely use my camera on total automatic.
12/20/2003 10:16:50 AM · #13
Originally posted by sonnyh:
I disagree with your statement unless you do everything on auto pilot.

You can disagree, but my statement is accurate. The color temperature set in the menus of the 10D only applies when the white balance setting is set to "K". It is ignored if you are in any other white balance mode. (See step 4 on page 53 of the 10D instruction manual, "Setting the color temperature".)

The other white balance settings (the sun for daylight, the cloud for cloudy, etc.) are simply presets to specific Kelvin color temperatures. The sun sets the color temperature to 5200K, the cloud to 6000K, the light bulb to 3200K, etc. (see page 51 of the 10D instruction manual.)

The AWB (Auto White Balance) setting attempts to determine the color temperature by analyzing data from the image sensor, since the 10D does not have an external white balance sensor like the EOS 1D and 1Ds cameras do. I find that AWB works quite well in a lot of situations, although I will manually select daylight, fluorescent, etc. if I know that is the only source of light.

Message edited by author 2003-12-20 10:21:02.
 12/20/2003 04:06:20 PM · #14
I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying or that it is written in the instruction manual. All I'm saying is that my 10D performs much better when setting the kelvin settings myself.
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