Digital Image Automatic Post Processing?

[akindo]

Hello friends! I am new to this forum, it looks like a great place to learn. I take photos with 35 mm SLR (slide and black and white film) and a Canon IXUS 400 compact digital camera. The digital images often seem to be a bit too bright and faded. I have found great tutorials on how to fix up the images manually. However, this is time consuming. So, for publishing hundreds of photos to the Internet, I would like to know which automatic post processing technique is the best. For example, doing a batch process of the images in Photoshop using "Automatic Levels" and "Automatic Color" (but in which order?). Any better recommendations?

Thank you VERY much for any tips.

- akindo

[another view]

However, this is time consuming.

Ahh, the wonderful world of digital!

If your camera is consistently overexposing, is there any way to set it to compensate? I'm not familiar with the camera, but maybe start with 1/2 stop underexposure if you can. I would probably work with all of the settings in the camera to try to get the capture as close as possible to what you want. Shoot it like you shoot slide film. Not only will that make your work easier later, but the finished product will be better.

But specifically, I usually start with auto levels in Photoshop to see if it helps the shot. Sounds like you might need to work some contrast in too. The problem is that what's best for one shot isn't necessarily going to help the next one. Can you pare down the quantity of images and spend the time on the ones remaining?

Welcome to the forum.

[akindo]

Sorry for delayed response, I just came back from a trip. Thanks for the tips. Yes, I can set the exposure. I now usually have it - 1/3, but I think I might sometimes, for example in strong sunlight, I need more. You are right about getting the exposure right from the beginning. I also posted on photomigrations.com, and was advised to read Chris Gamel's three articles on managing Digital Workflow, to be found on: http://www.photomigrations.com/articles/archive.htm. That should also help me.