Lightroom classic RAW photos dark

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
February 16, 2020
5 replies
3283 views

So I see other people have experienced this same issue but I couldn't find a good solution. When I import my photos I get the flat look that I shot them in with the same look. After a few seconds, the photo darkens dramatically and I am not sure how to fix this. Is there a setting need to change in Lightroom, or is it a physical thing and I need to shoot more overexposed on my camera? Thanks in advance for the help.

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Rob_Cullen

Community Expert

Serious under-exposure! Likely caused by aiming the camera towards the sun.

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .

GoldingD

Legend

On the processed a RAW file, the Histogram shows that the photo is extremely underexposed, so dark

Actual in the early shot of the embedded JPEG file this is also indicated. Your in camera settings are probably applying adjustments so that you can view the preview the photo, but is not showing you the truth. If shooting manual exposure this will involve some auto WB/Exposure for display,

Lauca

Participating Frequently

To add to the preceding comments, 2 other explanations that come in mind :

- A develop preset is declared in the import process. This can be verify by checking the tab "Apply during import" in the right panel of the import window

- A default develop settings has been set (up to version 9.1)

Just Shoot Me

Legend

The top screen shot is from the Preview LR creates from the Embedded JPG image in every RAW file.

The bottom one is another preview that LR creates from the actual RAW data.

The Camera may have BOOSTED the input of the RAW data to create the Embedded JPG and the actual JPG image file, that is IF you are capturing RAW + JPG, and that BOOST does not get applied to the RAW data.

If you are going to work from RAW files for editing in any RAW converter it is best to set the camera to be as neutral as possible. No extra sharpening or color corrections or settings that may BOOST brightness and or contrast and the like.