view finder in camera great on computer black

[fisher]

I am trying to start my own portrait photoghraphy bussiness but have had some problems with my camera. I have a Pentax ist DS I thought I could put it on auto and it would do the rest but guess what? My problem is I take a picture and it looks great in the view finder but when I upload it to the computer it is so dark you can't even see it. I take it to a photo editing and auto enhance and it is perfect. I have changed batteries on my camera so they are good. Is it me? Help!!!!!!!!!

[mwfanelli]

I am trying to start my own portrait photoghraphy bussiness but have had some problems with my camera. I have a Pentax ist DS I thought I could put it on auto and it would do the rest but guess what? My problem is I take a picture and it looks great in the view finder but when I upload it to the computer it is so dark you can't even see it. I take it to a photo editing and auto enhance and it is perfect. I have changed batteries on my camera so they are good. Is it me? Help!!!!!!!!!

OK, here are the cold hard facts not meant to be mean-spirited.

If you are starting a photography business you should know something about photography. Anyone can put a camera on Auto and snap a picture! The camera can't think for you, you have to provide the knowledge.

First, learn about exposure. Learn about lighting. Learn how and when to use flash and studio lights. Get off of auto mode, that's for snapshots. Learn how to judge the light for yourself without relying so totally on the cameras meter (which is a compromise).

What do your histograms look like? The LCD is NOT meant to tell you what your image will look like when the shutter is snapped. What are the shutter speeds and aperture chosen by the camera, look at the EXIF data. Is your monitor calibrated, what color profile are you using, what editing application do you have? How do you print these photographs? Your self? On a LightJet? Some other method?

Get back to us with specific examples, image data, studio setup, etc. so we can be more specific about what you need to do. Also, buy a good book on photography and another one on digital manipulation. Practice, practice, practice for a year or so before even thinking about a business.

Good luck and get back to us!