Why are screens often so dark especially in dramas?!

[SingToTheSky]

I feel like such a grumpy cow saying it but does anyone else find that the screen stays too dark? Especially in crime shows I find. It’s one of the reasons I need subtitles! I end up squinting at the screen trying to make out any detail, and turning up the brightness on the device seems to make no difference! Is it just me?

Yes I was moaning about this yesterday after watching a drama on my tablet.

I can't make anything out in the dark scenes, just see my face reflected off the screen with sinister music playing

Yes, it's like the settings on my TV aren't right but I know they are as I never have a problem with news or factual programme and things like Eastenders are always ok. Some Netflix dramas are particularly bad

Drives me bliddy crackers!

Have no idea what's happening half the time, and I miss LOADS of subtle details.

It’s infuriating. I’m sure I’d still be scared/impressed/moved if I could see what the fuck was actually going on so why make it so hard?

Yes! We bought a new telly thinking the old one was really bad on the brightness and then realised no different on the brand new telly! I thought the sound was bad in the old one - no clarity and everyone seems to mumble, but the new telly didn't fix that either. Grrrrr!

I found some parts of later game of thrones so bad for this. I spent half my time squinting at the screen trying to figure if I was looking at Jon or Arya.

Yes, it's an annoying style choice

Was it the Murder in Angel Lane where they were so proud of filming in real style Victorian lighting? I just couldn't see a thing a stopped watching.

Ah I’m so glad it’s not just me. I probably look a right twit rewinding and squinting over my glasses at the screen. I’ve started Dare Me on Netflix and the opening scene and a couple of others were just ridiculously dark!

I’ve given up on Scandi noire for exactly this reason. I’m enjoying Inspector Montebalno, set in Sicily and much brighter!

I gave up on Peaky Blinders because of this, most of the characters looked and sounded so similar I just ended up confused.

This thread is a good way of finding shows to avoid now 😂

I’ll never give up the crime mini-series though.

I shall just watch them and grumble at the dark bits.

@LunaHeather

Yes, it's an annoying style choice

Was it the Murder in Angel Lane where they were so proud of filming in real style Victorian lighting? I just couldn't see a thing a stopped watching.

WOLF HALL was all Tudor candle sconces . . .

You couldn't see a damn thing in the indoor evening scenes.

I’ve given up on Scandi noire

"Noire" indeed!

Oh I liked Wolf Hall

But there were a lot of necessary details in Angel Lane which coukdn't be seen

I think the Wolf Hall scenes like that were more dialogue.

You need an OLED tv. Our new one is amazing, the contrast is brilliant.

Have to admit I still enjoyed Wolf Hall Luna - just kept wondering if I was going blind . . .

It can also depend on the streaming method. Amazon have made their firsticks show the picture as darker because, in their words, it is more cinematic. Changing settings on your TV won't fix that because they've made it that way. It's a big complaint which they dont seem to listen to.

Don't have an issue with the dark scenes but I am so irritated with loud background/foreground music drowning out the dialogue

@SchadenfreudePersonified

Have to admit I still enjoyed Wolf Hall Luna - just kept wondering if I was going blind . . .

I'm sure you're not.

I still recall "oh we're looking for guilty men...just not necessarily of the crime committed". Politics in a nutshell.

I never saw Ripper Street, thought the violence might be too much.

For Victorian crime with decent lighting - ! - I highly recommend Limehouse Golem.