hmm, so your shiny new Ubuntu / Mint has a real dark webcam in skype or cheese etc ?

In command prompt do:-

sudo apt install v4l-utils

Then do:

v4l2-ctl --set-ctrl exposure_auto=01

Works for most any webcam including MS Lifecam and Logitech cams

Enjoy 🙂

For your rebooty pleasure maybe add that line to your ~/.bashrc .

BaDboD