Why Are My Photos Suddenly Too Bright or Too Dark?
The One Camera Setting Beginners Change by Accident
Have you ever taken a photo, looked at the back of your camera, and thought:
Why is everything blown out?
Why is this shot so dark?
Did I break something?
Good news — your camera is almost certainly not broken.
There’s one small setting that gets bumped all the time, especially by beginners, and it can completely change how your photos look without you realizing it.
That setting is Exposure Compensation.
👉 Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/1o3iPLN1Vw8
What Exposure Compensation Really Is (Plain English)
Exposure Compensation sounds technical, but it’s actually simple.
Think of it as your camera’s brightness dial.
Turn it up → your photos get brighter
Turn it down → your photos get darker
And here’s the important part:
It works even if you don’t mean to touch it.
If your camera hangs from a strap, brushes against your jacket, or you bend over, it’s very easy to bump a dial and never notice.
Why This Happens So Often
This is incredibly common because:
Exposure Compensation is usually on a dial or wheel
Your thumb rests right near it
It can change silently — no warning, no pop-up
Suddenly:
One photo is way too bright
The next is too dark
And you start questioning your camera settings (or your sanity)
Been there. I’ve done it more times than I’d like to admit.
How to Tell If Exposure Compensation Is the Problem
Flip on your camera and look at the screen or through the viewfinder.
You’re looking for something that looks like this:
+1, +2, –1, –2
Or a small scale with a line sliding left or right
Often labeled EV
If that number is anything other than 0, your camera is intentionally making photos brighter or darker.
👉 Zero (0) means:
“Just capture the scene as it actually is.”
Where to Find It on Different Cameras
Every brand is a little different, but the symbol is the same.
Canon: Usually visible on the rear screen or at the bottom of the viewfinder
Nikon: Often near the right side of the LCD
Sony: Typically right in the middle of the display
No matter the brand, look for the plus/minus scale.
How to Fix It (This Takes 2 Seconds)
To fix accidental exposure problems:
Turn the top dial or use the touchscreen
Move the exposure number back to 0
Take another photo
That’s it.
You do not need to:
Change ISO
Change shutter speed
Reset your camera
Just set Exposure Compensation back to zero.
A Quick Practice Tip (Do This Once)
This is the best way to make this setting “stick” in your brain:
Turn Exposure Compensation up and watch the image get brighter
Turn it down and watch it get darker
Set it back to zero
Once you see it happen on purpose, you’ll never be confused by it again.
One Small Gotcha to Know
If you can’t change Exposure Compensation, your camera is probably in full Auto mode.
Switch to:
Aperture Priority (Av / A)
Shutter Priority (Tv / S)
Manual (M) - (With Auto ISO)
The exposure dial will come back.
Final Thoughts for Beginners
If this ever happens to you:
It’s not you
It’s not your camera
It’s just one tiny setting
Even experienced photographers bump this dial by accident.
The difference is they know where to look.
🎥 Watch the full walkthrough here:
https://youtu.be/1o3iPLN1Vw8
If you found this helpful, leave a comment on the video — I always do my best to respond. And if you want more beginner-friendly camera tips, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the next one.
Getting Better Once Photo at a Time
