Overexposed pictures?

Question

I have a Casio exilim z50 camera.
I am getting washed out images lately. Both on the camera preview screen and in printing. I may have mistakenly changed some settings.

Here is an example of what the problem is.

I was taking pictures of classic cars from about a distance of +- 20 feet.
Far enough to get an entire side of the car in the frame.
If there was a sun glare anywhere on the car, say on the rear fender, that whole portion of the picture was overexposed and washed out.

Answer 1

The camera's meter "sees" the world as 18% gray - the mid-tone of an average scene. When confronted with an area of extreme brightness it doesn't compensate - it can't. So that area is "washed out". About all you the photographer can do is try to move around and eliminate the glare or use a polarizer filter to decrease it. You can also try averaging 2 meter readings if your camera has a Manual Mode.

Answer 2

You can reset to default settings. Follow the instructions on page 107 of the user manual (linked below).

1. Press Menu
2. Select Set Up tab and select Reset
3. Press forward button
4. Using the up down button, select Reset, then press SET

Answer 3

if your serious get and use a grey card to set your exposures manually, automatic your at the mercy of the camera

a