Symptoms
- Bright areas of photos look washed out with no detail
- Sky or windows appear pure white with detail lost
- Faces look too bright or washed out
- Worse in direct sunlight or with flash
Likely causes
- CommonDirect sunlight or a bright light source in frameVery bright light sources can exceed the sensor's dynamic range, blowing out highlights.
- CommonExposure compensation left too high from a previous shotA manually raised exposure setting can carry over and overbrighten new photos.
- CommonFlash overpowering a close subjectFlash can wash out subjects that are close to the camera.
- PossibleHDR or auto settings misjudging a high-contrast sceneAutomatic processing can occasionally overcorrect brightness.
What to do
- Tap on the brightest part of the scene to force the camera to expose for it.
- Lower the exposure slider (sun icon) manually before taking the photo.
- Turn off flash when subjects are close, or reduce flash intensity if your phone allows it.
- Turn on HDR mode for scenes with both bright and dark areas.
- Move so the strong light source isn't directly in frame or behind your subject.
- Reset exposure compensation to default (usually the middle of the slider) before a new shot.
When to call a pro
A repair shop isn't needed for exposure issues; this is a settings and lighting adjustment.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.