Washed out / overexposed images

[thunderstruck]

I have a Canon S1 IS. Apart from the occasional foray into the manual settings, I tend to leave it on Auto and let it sort itself out. However, I have noticed that I am getting a lot of overexposure problems (specifically the sky when shooting outdoors), and also the colours seem very washed out. This is really noticeable after comparing an image that has been "auto fixed" with MS Picture Manager. I've posted an example below, the left of which has been fixed, and on the right how it came out of the camera.

Any ideas? Thanks.

EDIT: This image shows the washed out look rather than the overexposed bit - have deleted all them!



>> Edited by thunderstruck on Sunday 18th September 22:11

[simpo two]

I don't know the Canon S1 IS but I'm sure it shouldn't be giving you washed out or over-exposed photos.
One point - if the skies in your shots are bright then they may well over-expose, as the camera cannot expose for both the land and the sky correctly. However, if whole photo are consistently over then I'd say there was something wrong. Have you checked all your settings? Are they at default or did you somehow dial in exposure compensation?

[_dobbo_]

To my eye the fixed one looks like the sea is overexposed, the exposure on the right looks better.

However it is a bit flat - first thing I would do is crank up the contrast and sharpness a little bit and then it will be fine I'm sure.

[GetCarter]

I too don't know the Canon S1 IS, but I'd be mighty pissed off if that's what came out of my camera.

Simpo mentions defaults - good plan - get it back to 'out of box' - then take it back to the shop if it's still playing up.

[GetCarter]

nice house BTW - yours?

[thunderstruck]

GetCarter said:

nice house BTW - yours?

Unfortunately not. Very nice indeed though.

Thanks for all the advice chaps. Will try to go default (although don't remember changing anything), and then take a trip to Jessops.