Your Digital Camera: Image Playback
Keep in mind that LCD screens are not always reliable predictors of how the image actually looks. For example, if you make a photograph in a low-light situation, it may look quite dark on the LCD screen. When you open up the image on your computer later, however, a simple brightness and contrast adjustment reveals a fully detailed image.
If you are working with a digital point and shoot (as opposed to a digital SLR) and you like to make macro, or close-up shots, it's a good idea to use the LCD monitor viewer for framing and composition. Working through the finder at such close range will result in the image being framed differently than you might have hoped due to what's called "parallax" error.
The instant review function is great for checking exposure and rethinking the way you made the shot and fixing it for the next exposure. But the main thing to look for on the monitor is whether the framing and subject expression is to your liking.
Some digital cameras also have an info playback mode that displays the camera settings along with each picture. This allows you to see what you did when you made the picture and, if you're not happy with the results, use the information to help correct the image. A few digital cameras can display a histogram, a graphic representation of the scene that shows you if the image is under- or over-exposed. You can use this to correct problems in your next exposure.
