In this difficult scene of a contrasty bush scene the image is over exposed - areas in full sun have burnt out completely - so it is easy to Blame the light -

As we decrease the exposure the bush gains more colour saturation texture and depth.

Again as the exposure is reduced even further we gain even more saturation - notice how the fern in the top centre is still over exposed -

While we have lost texture and detail in the shadow areas of this image, the deceased exposure has given the ferns an exposure that relates to the vibrancy we expect.

Again in this example the scene is over exposed -

By under exposing we bring up the saturated colour of the water and sky

Another example of the ocean - we see how the under exposure has produced a rather washed out and bland image

Here a change in exposure has produced a much more dramatic and vibrant image.

In this image of a peace march we see how over exposure has robbed the vibrancy from the colourful banner - also notice how the texture in the fabric has diminished.

However in this similar image the banner has colour and vibrancy we associate with the scene.

The vibrant colour of a sunrise or set can dramatically suffer from over exposure and not match the experience we have of the event.

Although we have lost saturation in the sky we have exposed to give some texture and detail in the foreground.

As we under expose more the colour begins to record in the image

Here we see the vibrant colour of the sky in a way we might have experienced it - however look how the detail and texture in the foreground has fallen into silhouette.