Solving Overexposed Photos from Kodak P&S Camera

[z-component]

I went around campus last week to take some pictures, and I remember the sun was really bright that day. When I saw them at full size I noticed most of them were overexposed. When I took some from in shadows, I expected the white balance of the surroundings to be off because of the light difference, but even ones taken in equal lighting were this way. Here are some examples:

Overexposed in shadow:
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5033/1004589ml4.jpg

Overexposed in equal light:
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/9594/1004590ko0.jpg

Ideal exposure:
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3773/1004615tg7.jpg

I use a Kodak Point & Shoot 4.0 megapixel camera, which I know isn't supposed to give me the best shots; however, I'm wondering if anyone knows any tips or special ways of editing that can correct this type of problem.

(Sorry that the pictures are large-- you can save them for viewing and have them appear at screen size in Windows Picture Viewer.)

 

[Danger]

Actually, I think that the last one looks great just the way it is.
I've found that overexposure is very difficult to correct, even in Photoshop 6. Conversely, I've had some that were so dark you couldn't see anything, and they came out almost perfect.
Anyhow, just go into your 'brightness' and 'contrast' settings in PS and start tweaking. Always make sure to save the changes under a different file name so you can return to the original if you don't like the results.

 

[FredGarvin]

Does your camera have an AE lock? They can be helpful in these setings

 

[russ_watters]

The first one looks ok to me if you're just looking at the tree. The second one has the building exposed properly, which makes the sidewalk overexposed. Unless you have manual exposure settings (a +/- setting) or more advanced manual controls, that can be tough to correct.

For the first one, I'm not sure if you are close enough to the tree for it, but using a flash outside during the day can eliminate shadows and drop the exposure, reducing the overexposure in the background.

 

[Gokul43201]

I use a Kodak Point & Shoot 4.0 megapixel camera

Model number/name?

pic#3 is very good.

 

[Gokul43201]

For the first one, I'm not sure if you are close enough to the tree for it, but using a flash outside during the day can eliminate shadows and drop the exposure, reducing the overexposure in the background.

Nice idea - might just work.

 

[z-component]

Thanks everyone.

Actually, I think that the last one looks great just the way it is.

pic#3 is very good.

Thanks to the both of you. I really like how this one turned out and that's the balance of exposure that I want in all of my pictures. It's the other two that disappointed me.

Unless you have manual exposure settings (a +/- setting) or more advanced manual controls, that can be tough to correct.

I have control over exposure compensation, that ranges from +2 to -2 that goes in increments of .5. I'm going to check the manual about that setting, and I guess it's a good idea to go out and experiment with it on objects.

Model number/name?

It's a Kodak EasyShare LS743

 

[SpaceTiger]

I went around campus last week to take some pictures

Ah, memories.

 

[NoTime]

From playing around years ago I would say the building shot needed a UV filter. Cameras don't "see" the same spectral range that you do and UV is often a problem in outdoor shots.

The filter might have helped with the tree as well, but this kind of shot is difficult at best. Always a trade off between subject too dark and background to bright.
An extreme example would be a silhouette.