Why are my photos too dark?
Your camera's meter aims for an average brightness, so bright scenes (snow, sky, backlight) fool it into underexposing. The fix is telling it to add light back.
Quick answer
Dial in +1 to +2 stops of exposure compensation for bright or backlit scenes, check the histogram, and meter off your subject rather than the bright background.
Causes & fixes
Meter fooled by a bright scene
→ Add exposure compensation (+1 to +2 EV) for snow, beaches, sky, or backlight.
Backlit subject
→ Meter on the subject (spot metering) or add fill flash / +EV so the face isn't a silhouette.
Manual settings too low
→ Open the aperture, slow the shutter, or raise ISO until the histogram looks right.
Settings to check
Exposure comp.: +1 to +2 EV
counters a bright scene fooling the meter
Metering: Spot on the subject
exposes for what matters, not the background
Common mistakes
- Trusting the meter in snow or against the sky.
- Ignoring the histogram piled against the left edge.
Got the shot that went wrong? Upload it and we'll read the EXIF and tell you exactly what to change.Fix a shot →
FAQ
What is exposure compensation?
A quick dial that tells the camera to make the photo brighter (+) or darker (−) than its meter chose — perfect for tricky lighting.
Learn more
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