Help! Why does this keep happening? Blown out photos
Jul 3, 2012 23:09:06 #
Hi everyone,
First off, I have a Fuji Finepix s9000. For some reason I am getting blown out images like this one. Not all the time, but a lot. The ISO is on 200. This happens whether I'm indoors or outside as in this photo. It was overcast when I shot this and it was at about 7pm. Still light out. It happens whether I'm shooting in automatic or manual settings. I used spot metering on the object. It happens whether I'm zooming, at infinity or using macro. If I move the camera even a hair, the image can get blown out like in this image. I am baffled by this and am stymied as to why this is occurring. My mode dial was not working so I sent it to someone on UHH to fix. I was having this problem before I got the camera fixed but it seems a lot worse now. My white balance is set at auto.Does anyone have a clue or any ideas as to what could be happening? I don't know if it is something simple like a wrong setting or if there is something majorly wrong with my camera. Thanks so much in advance for any input or feedback- Whitewitch
First off, I have a Fuji Finepix s9000. For some reason I am getting blown out images like this one. Not all the time, but a lot. The ISO is on 200. This happens whether I'm indoors or outside as in this photo. It was overcast when I shot this and it was at about 7pm. Still light out. It happens whether I'm shooting in automatic or manual settings. I used spot metering on the object. It happens whether I'm zooming, at infinity or using macro. If I move the camera even a hair, the image can get blown out like in this image. I am baffled by this and am stymied as to why this is occurring. My mode dial was not working so I sent it to someone on UHH to fix. I was having this problem before I got the camera fixed but it seems a lot worse now. My white balance is set at auto.Does anyone have a clue or any ideas as to what could be happening? I don't know if it is something simple like a wrong setting or if there is something majorly wrong with my camera. Thanks so much in advance for any input or feedback- Whitewitch
Jul 3, 2012 23:22:28 #
Well, If I had to guess (and I do) it is the spot metering. Unless you really have a specific reason for using it.....don't.
If you metered that dark thing in the middle, no wonder it is overexposed - the meter thought that tone was the whole image. For most - and I do mean MOST - situations, the matrix or evaluative metering is superior. Center weighted can be used in many situations.
Spot metering is useful when shooting in manual to take meter reading at various points and then use the multiple reading to use your experience to come up with an exposure that balances all the readings.
If you metered that dark thing in the middle, no wonder it is overexposed - the meter thought that tone was the whole image. For most - and I do mean MOST - situations, the matrix or evaluative metering is superior. Center weighted can be used in many situations.
Spot metering is useful when shooting in manual to take meter reading at various points and then use the multiple reading to use your experience to come up with an exposure that balances all the readings.
Jul 4, 2012 02:48:54 #
whitewitch wrote:
Hi everyone, br br First off, I have a Fuji Finep... (show quote)
Were you using fill flash?
Jul 4, 2012 02:56:10 #
Check to see if the aperture is closing down when the exposure is being made. You will get overexposure if it is sticking. May need to have the lens cleaned.
Jul 4, 2012 03:03:35 #
FilmFanatic
Loc: Waikato, New Zealand
Yep, the exposure on the spot you metered on is exposed perfectly. That is what spot metering does. Pity about the rest of the photo!
Jul 4, 2012 03:17:04 #
I am quite sure it is the spot metering method you used. Read your manual to find out about the different metering modes it offers and what each one does. Then shoot the same picture using the different metering modes and see which gives you the best exposure.
Jul 4, 2012 08:04:40 #
This problem arises when your subject is lit from the back. when you spot metered on the subject the camera set the correct exposure for the subject sculpture in the center of the image. The rest of the image is overexposed. If you want to get an even exposure in this situation and still want to see the detail in the subject, you will need to use the flash to light the subject while the background will be exposed properly. Use evaluative metering mode, and put the flash on ETTL. In this case the shutter speed controls the ambient light and the f stop controls the flash exposure. Here is an example of what you can do using this technique.
Jul 4, 2012 10:26:24 #
I agree that your spot meter exposed for the dark subject in the center. But with digital you can look at your photo and try again using exposure compensation until you get the result you like.
Jul 4, 2012 10:39:03 #
Jul 4, 2012 10:45:55 #
If you expose for the background your subject will be come too dark to see any detail. Of course if your subject is the background this will be what you want. The only way to get a good exposure of all the elements in your image would be by adding the flash. No amount of in camera exposure compensation will do the job.
Jul 4, 2012 10:48:33 #
Bill41 wrote:
quote=whitewitch Hi everyone, br br First off, I... (show quote)
No, I rarely use flash, especially outdoors where it's bright. Even indoors, I haven't needed flash because my camera has always been very good in low light conditions....
Jul 4, 2012 10:49:28 #
selmslie wrote:
Check to see if the aperture is closing down when the exposure is being made. You will get overexposure if it is sticking. May need to have the lens cleaned.
OK, thanks a lot, selmslie! :-P
Jul 4, 2012 10:51:03 #
FilmFanatic wrote:
Yep, the exposure on the spot you metered on is exposed perfectly. That is what spot metering does. Pity about the rest of the photo!
So, as Captain suggested, I shouldn't be using spot metering?
Jul 4, 2012 10:52:04 #
Chinaman wrote:
I am quite sure it is the spot metering method you used. Read your manual to find out about the different metering modes it offers and what each one does. Then shoot the same picture using the different metering modes and see which gives you the best exposure.
I will definitely check that out, Chinaman. Thank you! 8-)
Jul 4, 2012 10:56:17 #
Gary Truchelut wrote:
This problem arises when your subject is lit from ... (show quote)
I don't know what evaluative metering mode. I haven't seen that in my camera. I also don't know what ETTL is. I will look into it. Thanks so much for your input. By the way, your photo is gorgeous! :-P
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