digital camera--is there any way to fix lighting issues?

goodheartedmommy

I keep having photos turn out like this. I guess they're overexposed is the word? I like this picture, but the lighting in it is ridiculous. Are you just screwed if you have a digital, or can you adjust it so this doesn't happen? If the lighting in the room isn't perfect, I end up with screwed up pictures.

Also--SLR's: how long do they last? Digital cameras seem to do good to last 2 years, and they start crapping out after a year or so. That's $200ish every couple of years. If an SLR is going to last 8 years, it's worth it to pay for one for me. I take a ton of pics of the kids, but there are things I hate about the digital--one being that it takes a few seconds for it to self-adjust before taking the picture, which means the kids have already looked away or the kodak moment has passed.

Maybe I'm underestimating my camera and there are things you can do to fix the problems? 

Halo79RN

what kind of p&s do you have?  I have a canon elph and a canon powershot s80... with both, I set it to custom settings and change for my environment. for instance, they have an indoor mode, cloudy mode, flourescent lights mode.... etc.  the elph has a kids and pets setting for a faster shutter.  the other thing is I can turn the flash from auto to on or off.  that's been handy as well.  I just played around with it one day and most of the time I can adjust it once and have it right for wherever we are.  (I have to say, the powershot is a better camera... but I like that I can carry the elph in my pocket when we walk to the park and such).  

fixing after the fact????  unless you have one of those $$$ photoshop type programs.  with some pics I can do an auto adjustment through whatever is on the new windows 7... used to with the canon program. but it's not always better. 

mamarazzi

It does look like you have some funky lighting going on there.  I'm not sure what the problem is.  It almost looks like your flash is uneven or something since there's one spot that's flooded with light.  I'd probably take it into a shop and have them check it out.  You could try changing to a higher ISO.

As far as the SLRs go -- I don't know how long they "last" but I'd imagine (and in my experience), it's a lot longer than two years.  An SLR would have a much quicker shutter speed and "self adjusts" faster than a point and shoot.  You can also get better shots in low-light situations with different lenses and higher ISOs and use a speedlight to bounce light off the ceiling or walls to get a more natural-lit-looking photo.

mason15

For your lighting, your best bet is to not use the onboard flash.  Use as much natural light as possible.  Sometimes, it's inevitable and you have to use the flash, but you might try taping a coffee filter over it to lessen the brightness.

As far as the DSLR, I've had mine for around 6 years I think and it's still great.  Now that I'm shooting on manual and in RAW, I'm ready to upgrade.  BUT, there's nothing wrong with my camera and I'll end up selling it when I upgrade since there's nothing wrong with it.

goodheartedmommy

The lighting in the one picture was extra funky. We were upstairs in a room that's a converted "attic." Tons of windows all around and it was a sunny day. All of the pictures from there are extra weird. I've always wanted to learn more about taking good pictures, but I haven't made it a priority yet. I'm getting jealous of everyone's good photos, so I thought I'd try to learn a little now.

 I'll try the tips you gave me for now. Thanks so much!

PearlieGirl'sMom

I have similar lighting issues except I get like all light and no picture. All the time outside and sometimes inside. I have changed the settings on my camera to no avail. It used to work great. I have a Fuji