Please help. My EOS R50 shoots dark photos

[jonathand24]

Hello all, I'm a beginner in photography. I bought the R50 to take photos of swatch cards for my textile company. I am having trouble getting the correct colors to show up when I take photos. I  attached a photo of the swatch card as well as my lighting setup. Any help would be greatly appreciated. EOS R50 EOS R50 RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit 

[Tronhard]

Hi Jonathan, and welcome to the forum:

Can you please advise what mode (A+, P, Av, Tv or M) you are using?  What exposure mode are you using: the default is called evaluative.  If you have not changed it, that is what you are using.

[jonathand24]

I am shooting in M. I don't believe I changed the exposure mode.

[Tronhard]

Thanks for your prompt response.

To me, your most obvious issue is one of exposure, if that is incorrect is it the colour rendition. 

For a start, if you go into the Menu and make sure Exposure Simulation is ON, then as you manipulate controls for ISO, Shutter speed and aperture, you will see the results in your viewfinder or LCD as you do so.  You can then choose the exposure you want before you shoot.

[stevet1]

Jonathand24,

I think your colors are OK. The Mustard looks like Mustard, the Rust looks like Rust, etc.

As Trevor suggested, a change in Exposure might be in order. Your Aperture looks fine, so I wouldn't change that.

If you want to stay in Manual, try slowing down your shutter speed by 1/3 of a stop.

Alternatively, you could put your camera in Aperture Priority Mode (AV) and let your camera pick your shutter speed, and if you know how to set Exposure Compensation, then add 1/3 of a stop of positive EC.

See if that helps.

Steve Thomas

[Tronhard]

My suspicion is that the metering is being fooled in Evaluative because of the very bright, white background, which I guess you too are seeing.

[stevet1]

Jonathand24,

I think Trevor is right in that your camera is overwhelmed by all that bright light and is telling you, "Help! I'm blind here! I can't see. Tone it down! Tone it down!", and it's trying to return to that 18% gray you read about. The result is that your dark patches get darker.

One approach is to override your camera settings by introducing some positive compensation that I talked about earlier.

Another approach might be to use spot metering and meter off of some middle gray in your subject - like the charcoal swatch. Meter off that with the center of your camera pointed at that charcoal and lock your exposure (probably with the * button). Recompose your picture and take your shot.

Trevor, what do you think?

Steve Thomas

[Tronhard]

I think we are in agreement Steve.  My suggestion was also that, because an R-series body meters off the sensor and that is displayed in real time on an EVF or LCD if Exposure Simulation is ON, if the OP wants to shoot in M, all he has to do is change either the SS or Aperture (probably the former if using a tripod) to get the exposure right to his requirements as he looks at the swatches.
I think between us we have given Jonathon lots of options! 😊