I'm not very good at setting the exposure levels on my digital camera, so I've had to learn how to fix pictures in my graphics program. This tip works for both Paintshop & Photoshop. You will be able to lighten photos without losing any detail and bring out detail that was "hidden in shadows".

Open your picture in your graphics program
Select Layers
Select New Layer
Select Brightness & Contrast Layer
Then select "screen".
Click OK

This will add a new layer that will kind of "wash out" your picture. Adjust the visibility of the layer until you get the brightness of the picture you like.