Why do pictures on the camera's LCD look so much better and brighter?

[Al B. Sure!]

I've noticed that pictures look fantastic on my camera' LCD display but when I put them on the computer, the colors look dull and washed out, as if all the brightness and contrast just disappeared and everything looks grey (I don't know the proper terminology for this). For example, my skin complexion goes from bright and slightly tan to well, grey.

They look equally dull and grey on other computers, as well.

What gives?


Thanks

[onodera]

1. Viewing angles.
2. Display settings.

Adjust the LCD on your camera, if you can, to match your PC. Then adjust the picture controls until you get the pop you need.

[Al B. Sure!]

1. Viewing angles.
2. Display settings.

Adjust the LCD on your camera, if you can, to match your PC. Then adjust the picture controls until you get the pop you need.

So pretty much then all pictures will look grey and washed out?

[Lul Thyme]

He said to
1.adjust the camera screen controls so that the photos look like they do on your computer, so you can see the final result and are not surprised when you transfer them to your computer AND
2.adjust the actual photo taking settings so that the pictures look good on the camera screen.

[Al B. Sure!]

How can I take actually brighter photos rather than ones that just look bright on the camera display? I tried all the different flash settings and it's all still washed out.

[Lorizael]

I've noticed that pictures look fantastic on my camera' LCD display but when I put them on the computer, the colors look dull and washed out, as if all the brightness and contrast just disappeared and everything looks grey (I don't know the proper terminology for this). For example, my skin complexion goes from bright and slightly tan to well, grey.

They look equally dull and grey on other computers, as well.

What gives?


Thanks

Take pictures of your camera's LCD with another camera!

[-Jrabbit]

My guess is that you have a crappy camera.

Try shooting outside on a nice sunny day, no flash. If that still looks dark when transferred to PC, you have an issue.

Another thought: If your computer has a matte/no-glare screen, a loss of brightness is normal.

[Asher]

Most P&S cameras oversaturate their LCDs.

[Sir Og]

Yep, you can probably get the bright and colorful effect by software. I guess something like Picasa has such features and is free to use.

I am also pretty sure that Windows photo viewer does some processing on the photos as well and does not actually show the "true" image. I am not sure what are you using to watch the pictures on your computer.

[Al B. Sure!]

The photos look equally dull on multiple software platforms.

I wish there was some way to show the difference. It's striking. I'm not sure a no-glare screen would reduce the brightness this much.

I figure it's more saturated on the LCD... so how can I get the right amount of saturation through software? I increase the saturation incrementally and it just doesn't approach the level of brightness and vivid color on the LCD. It brightens but everything is still mostly grey.


It's also grey with no color on my Zune's LCD.

[Asher]

The only way you can do that is with ViviColor glasses. I can sell you a pair if you want. Only $100.

[Sir Og]

Maybe your monitor is crap. (or not set up right) See the pictures on a nice TV (it might be easier to find than a nice monitor)

[Al B. Sure!]

Maybe your monitor is crap. (or not set up right) See the pictures on a nice TV (it might be easier to find than a nice monitor)

The pictures look identical on 2 different monitors and my Zune's screen.

Regardless, even if they looked great on a tv, that's not a good thing because they'll look crappy on the computer screen of anyone else who sees the photo. I want to make the photo on the computer look like the bright, vivid one on the camera.

[onodera]

Give us the model of your camera. We might be able to point you towards correct picture controls. Also, flash will never help you make saturated pictures.

[Al B. Sure!]

Nikon Coolpix S630


thank you

[The Mad Monk]

Nikon is a high quality manufacturer.

You will *never* get the LCD to "match" what you see on your monitor. What you see on the LCD is highly dependent on lighting, which will always vary unless you only look at the LCD under the same lighting every time, which of course doesn't happen. Just use it to compose the shot, with the understanding that you will make the needed adjustments when you get them on your computer.

There are color calibration plates you can use with your camera and with your monitor, you might want to look into borrowing them.

[Sir Og]

He wants to modify his pictures so that they look bright and colorful on crappy and/or uncallibrated monitors.

He should use some software. Picasa is free and he can give it a try as a start. Then there is always Photo Shop.

[onodera]

Nikon Coolpix S630


thank you

Your camera sucks, but try going to Menu (Shooting) -> Color Options and set it to Vivid. If that doesn't help much, set exposure compensation (right on the 4-way controller) to -0.5 or -0.6.

[The Mad Monk]

His camera has issues, but they have nothing to do with the color balance.