Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Photo Analysis
Sony a6000 'flat' images
Page 1 of 2 next>
Jan 26, 2018 22:39:48   #
Onquest Loc: Just Wandering
 
Camera used: Sony a6000 with either of the two kit lenses that came with it - 16-50 or 55-210
My problem is the images are all very washed out. I've messed around with different settings, watched youtubes and HDR but not having much success especially when shooting outdoors. I am shooting in fine jpg and I don't use filters. Any input may help, lol.
#1: Kid on tractor: 1/400, f8, ISO 500, AP, centreweighted focusing
#2: Santa in buggy: 1/640, f6.3, ISO 320, shutter priority, spot metering (probably on the horse's rump).

I use my histogram when shooting and always keep the highlights within the graph and yet on my computer and to my eye they appear overexposed. Both these were shot early afternoon but I can show the same issues earlier or later in the day.

Thanks.





Reply
Jan 26, 2018 23:06:26   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
You should be seeing what the shot will look like in the VF - and turn your metering compensation to the minus side ! - Example, Santa in buggie should be 1/640, f11, ISO 320 .

Reply
Jan 26, 2018 23:57:08   #
Onquest Loc: Just Wandering
 
imagemeister wrote:
You should be seeing what the shot will look like in the VF - and turn your metering compensation to the minus side ! - Example, Santa in buggie should be 1/640, f11, ISO 320 .


Thanks, imagemeister. I always use the viewfinder and am adjusting according to the histogram. Perhaps the movement of the horse threw the adjustment out and I didn't correct quickly enough. It was a very bright day and the horses are typically quite dark so I was 'trying' for midrange tones. But even in the scenic shots I am having issues. Quite sure it is operator error, though :(

Reply
 
 
Jan 27, 2018 01:02:17   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
They are both high contrast scenes and are a little over exposed.
Does the a6000 have "blinkies", that indicate over exposed areas in the captured image? If so make sure it is are turned on.
That may help.

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 04:19:35   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
It might indicate Sony's confidence that they can expose on the bright side and still stay within the sensor's dynamic range. If the highlights aren't being blown then you have nothing to worry about, and all you have to do is darken the images slightly. In fact exposing on the bright side (ETTR) and then darkening in post is a good way to reduce noise (provided you're using the lowest ISO value that circumstances allow).

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 09:24:58   #
Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ
 
Look at what time of day you shot these pictures. Mid day light is really white and there is a reason the ends of the day are called golden hours.

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 09:46:32   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
Tjohn wrote:
Look at what time of day you shot these pictures. Mid day light is really white and there is a reason the ends of the day are called golden hours.


According to the OP, "Both these were shot early afternoon but I can show the same issues earlier or later in the day". Harsh light may be part of the problem, but it's not the whole problem. Presumably there's an underlying issue at work.

Reply
 
 
Jan 27, 2018 10:00:25   #
PhotosRfun
 
Try with your ISO 100, white balance on cloudy, f16 or f22.

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 10:42:59   #
AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!
 
If you were using spot metering at a center point, you were actually metering off a very dark element of the image - the steering wheel in the first and the horse's rump in the second. This is a prime example of why I normally use evaluative metering unless I'm ONLY concerned about that one dark spot (or light spot) in the frame.

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 13:57:44   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Onquest wrote:
Thanks, imagemeister. I always use the viewfinder and am adjusting according to the histogram. Perhaps the movement of the horse threw the adjustment out and I didn't correct quickly enough. It was a very bright day and the horses are typically quite dark so I was 'trying' for midrange tones. But even in the scenic shots I am having issues. Quite sure it is operator error, though :(


Using spot metering is quite dangerous - is why I use centerweighted....- You seem to be spot metering on darker parts of your image.

But the real/final exposure adjustment comes from your VF and exposure compensation !

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 17:19:43   #
Onquest Loc: Just Wandering
 
R.G. wrote:
According to the OP, "Both these were shot early afternoon but I can show the same issues earlier or later in the day". Harsh light may be part of the problem, but it's not the whole problem. Presumably there's an underlying issue at work.


Yes, RG, the problem exists over all the day light hours. I'll attach another shot within 2 hours of dawn.

Thank you everyone for your responses.



Reply
 
 
Jan 27, 2018 17:24:48   #
Onquest Loc: Just Wandering
 
This one (above post) is on auto ISO, with the camera choosing 800. Using aperture priority and matrix metering. Histogram shows slight overexposure but fairly even exposure through out the image.

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 17:32:28   #
Onquest Loc: Just Wandering
 
Same day, early morning, with the histogram in camera saying the exposure was within the side boundaries. Still on auto ISO and the camera choosing 800. F13, matrix metering. Obviously auto ISO isn't working for me but not much else is, either, :( The sunrise was rich with colour. Sony disagreed.



Reply
Jan 27, 2018 18:22:59   #
RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia
 
The exposure for the lake photograph is basically ok.
If these are jpgs straight out of camera you may be able to "enhance" them by adjusting some in camera parameters.
Does your camera have setings for "vibrance", contrast and saturation (for example)?
If so try them and you may have pics with more "punch"
If you are shooting raw then they usually need a bit of post processing to bring out the "best" image.

Reply
Jan 27, 2018 18:26:08   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Onquest wrote:
Same day, early morning, with the histogram in camera saying the exposure was within the side boundaries. Still on auto ISO and the camera choosing 800. F13, matrix metering. Obviously auto ISO isn't working for me but not much else is, either, :( The sunrise was rich with colour. Sony disagreed.


You DO post process - don't you ???

Forget about the histogram ! Make it look right in the VF and then PP if needed !

How long have you been using this camera ??

..

Reply
Page 1 of 2 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Photo Analysis
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.