Most images benefit from some post processing.  This is especially true of those taken in auto mode. Editing can help to get you closer to what you envisioned than your camera did.   It pays to take a little bit of time to get to know the photo editing software you may have already built into your computer.  Then you can edit at the same time and place you catalog your pictures. 

There are some really good tips for iphoto editing here and here. They cover much of the same ground but usually reading the same things over again with slightly different presentation helps you to really get it.  This one explains how to use the red eye and retouch tools.  You can find lots of youtube videos if showing works better than telling. 

I am including a picture I edited with those tips from several years ago that was shot in auto in the house.  First thing I did was to adjust the exposure considerably.  Auto shots are notoriously underexposed, especially in the shadows.  Check the sliders at the top of the adjustment box.  That center slider for levels is your friend <g>  Move that to the left and watch things brighten up.  Then I increased contrast and sharpness as well – two other things usually a problem in auto.

 I corrected the white balance as best I could with the dropper.  You may need to try the dropper a few different places to get it right.  If you clicked on the white comforter towards the top/left in the image it would over-correct and make the rest of the image yellow for instance.  

Anyway, it's a snapshot, but a little brighter and well, snappier. : ) 

Personally I really dislike the iphoto effects options.  The black and white conversion is awful.  The sepia is heavy handed. The color fade leaves things looking chilly and anemic. There are so many better effects editors out there these days, I avoid this one.