Why does this happen?

[Bekkkk]

Hi I have had my DSLR for a few weeks now and decided I wanted to try using RAW. I have my camera set to take both a RAW image and a JPEG. But when I open the RAW image is it heaps more underexposed than what it looked like when I took it and what the JPEG looks like.
Just using this picture as an example.
The JPEG I get is:

But if I open it up in ufraw, it looks like this

If I click autoadjust exposure I get this


I know that I can just adjust the exposure compensation to what I want, but I don't understand why every picture comes out underexposed whereas the jpeg is fine.

[vsa]

Do you have any other program to test the raw files with?
If it doesn't happen on other programs then the issue is with the current one. If it does then it's most likely the camera.

[zona5101]

Remember your jpg file is being processed. The camera manuf has predetermined how the raw should look as a jpg and has applied color, contrast, brightness, sharpness, etc adjustment to the raw image. Depending on your processing software you can create a similar "preset" to apply to all your raw images.
Also when reviewing raw vs jpg be sure to look at them in the same program... not raw in one and the jpg in another.

[neubauer6]

I have noticed the same thing when I open my RAW photos in certain programs. What type of camera are you using?

[Digidave]

It has nothing to do with the camera or the file itself. A jpg file has been rendered by your camera using your camera's settings(sharpening, contrast, exposure level, etc...). Software does not read those settings when viewing a RAW file until you tell it to use certain parameters. The only one that I know of that does is Nikon's Capture NX2. It will read the camera settings & the NEF will look exactly the same as the jpg. Other manufacturer specific software may do the same but I have never used them so I can't say one way or the other. Most software has its presets that can come close at guessing what the camera settings should do.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Digidave

Software does not read those settings when viewing a RAW file until you tell it to use certain parameters. The only one that I know of that does is Nikon's Capture NX2.

The only thing ACR doesnt read is the picture style: everything else is intact though.

[PrimeTime]

Look at the histogram for both the raw and jpeg images......................both are underexposed, you can tell by the histogram to the left side. Your camera is applying changes to the jpeg which is why it looks brighter, but it is still underexposed.

Use your histogram to confirm you have a good exposure, it should be almost touching the right side for most photos.