One way is use the histogram on rear screen,find by turning screen on then press info button until histogram appears.it looks like a small moving mountain .mid is average left is darker right is brighter.i find slighty right of centre gives good results then fine tune.and shoot raw format then post process on canon digital photo pro.never use auto setting.i use av mode .f5.6 low light or blur and f10 landscapes.hopes that helps for a start