Pictures are always washed out, mandatory post-processing?

[Eildosa]

Hi,

I'm using a canon 1100D without a lens on a microscope.
My pictures always lack contrast.

The only thing I can do is act on the lighthing and shutter speed (aperture is fixed by the objective, and I like too keep ISO to 100).

I found amazing contrasted microscope pictures.

I wonder, is it because I need to shoot RAW and do some post processing?

Example : sand from south of France


Thanks.

[DanK]

The amount of contrast is determined primarily by the scene and how it is lighted, not by camera settings. For example, some images have a limited tonal range or a small difference in brightness in the mid-tones, where it is most noticeable. If an image lacks contrast, it is very easy to increase contrast in postprocessing. The basic tools are changing the black and white points (expanding the tonal range if it is limited) and using a curves tool (or a contrast slider) to increase difference in the midtones. Shooting raw in general allows more flexibility in editing, but frankly, for this, I don't think it would matter much.

If this is new to you, please read the tutorials under "tones and contrast" on the tutorials page of this site. That will give you the fundamentals. After that, people here can help with any specific questions you have.

[Mike Buckley]

It would be helpful if you would provide a link to an image that is an example of the look you hope to achieve.

[xpatUSA]

Yes, some post processing would definitely help the shot. Some prefer RAW, some do not.

I use RawTherapee . . .

[Manfred M]

+1 to Dan's comment.

Adding contrast has always been a post-processing step. Lighting direction during capture will also add contrast, but that requires a directional light source.

[mikesan]

While taken through a microscope objective, obviously not transmitted light. So you should have some flexibility in positioning the (indirect) light source, or perhaps using more than one light to increase contrast. Post processing to increase sharpness is obligatory for any digital capture. All software has tools for sharpening, some better than others. Best to work with a raw image.