Bright light How do you reduce glare when taking photo's? Whenever I take photo's at beaches on a bright day they are very washed out.

Please check the light settings and change from high sensitivity to even a manal mode or a bright sunlight setting.
It is possible that the incident light is too powerful and so changes the auto light sensor to give a correction to the CCD so as to make it less brighter.
You can also try and use filters that can reduce the glare but give a better picture contrast.
If not use the manual mode, correct the speed and aperture.

The Two Kinds of LCD Monitors There are two kinds of modern LCD screens: matte (anti-glare) and glossy. Both have their pros and cons and are a subject of many discussions.

Matte screens don't get glare or reflections on them; however, the same rough surface (polarizer) that reduces the intensity of reflected light results in less contrast and brightness since the light from the LCD screen passes through it. Matte screens diffuse light instead of reflecting it so they might be easier to read outdoors, if the backlight provides enough brightness. You don't have to worry as much about reflections as with a glossy screen.

Glossy screens have vibrant colors and the highest contrast and brightness because they have a smooth, high-gloss surface. As a result, it is often the choice for movies or gaming. However, strong lighting causes glare on these screens which is very annoying and may tire your eyes if you have to stare at it all the time. You can also see reflections on the screen. Some graphics designers may also find the colors inaccurate. Glossy will work great for you if the lighting in your room doesn't create any glare on the screen.

http://www.squidoo.com/matte-vs-glossy-screens

My Dodge Dakota has the same thing.The light on mine tells me that my auto glare reducer is on.You might notice that the glare in your mirror from the lights at night are less bright than if you didn't have the glare reducer.Hope that helps a little bit.

Check that your headlight switch is not on. They have an automatic dimming feature for night driving that reduces glare from the instrument cluster.

auto dims the glass for the headlights at nighttime so the people behind you dont blind you.

You probably checked this, but sometimes we forget.
The dial on the dashboard to the left of the instrument panel controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights. Turn the dial to adjust the brightness. Also, to reduce glare at night, the fuel and temperature gauges dim when you turn on the parking lights or headlights. You then adjust their brightness when you adjust the instrument panel brightness.
Turn the dial up as far as it will go to return the fuel and temperature gauges to their daytime brightness.
I hope helps and it's that simple for you.

your dash lights should dim when you turn your running lights on. This is to reduce the glare for night time driving. There will be a dial on the dash near the cluster that you can adjust the brightness of your interior lights

Here is the Advanced Manual.
http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0900001188/PSA540_530CUGad-EN.pdf
See pages 50-52 for what to do. Use a close-up setting and no flash. Also take photo at an angle to reduce reflected glare.

it's pretty normal.. try wearing a brimmed hat to create shade, turning the brightness up on the screen, the lcd's tend to get washed out in the bright sun.