EOS R8 RF50mm F1.8 STM - Washed out images of the sunrise

[JimmyCanon]

Hello,
The images we attempt to take of the sunrise are washed out badly.
1 Manual settings
2 Auto focus - Single point center

As the sun came up, we adjusted the ISO - Aperture - Shutter speed. All washed out.

We took a video, and it turned out very good.

We use single-point center focus for various reasons. Could this be part of the issue? Is it possibly causing the camera to also take the lighting information only from the center of the image?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Tronhard]

Hi and welcome the forum:

First, without actual images along with the EXIF settings, it's hard for us to comment, but there are a couple of meaningful thoughts...

Focus will not have an impact exposure unless you have tied the exposure to the focus point - which is possible with AE lock.  Check your manual and menu on that: c013.pdf (start.canon), and consider P172 as it does take exposure from the centre.   If you have exposure lock assigned to the * button, then the procedure is:
1. place the centre on something that is offers a mid-reflectance (you should see the result as you do so in the EVF
2. focus where you wish (depends on subject and aperture) and lock that - I prefer BBF with servo no focus on shutter button
3. recompose and take the shot.

Did you take a photo of the sunrise that was not manual?