In the apache config there is a bit that sets what user and/or group apache runs. say for example it runs as user=apache and group=apache.
Make ensure apache can read the directories that you want to view from a web browser.
an example of ownership and permissions
### apache user can read/write/execute, apache can group read/execute, all others can not. However people viewing it from a web browser can see it cause apache is the user that accesses it.
/var/www drwxr-x--- apache apache
### apache user/group and any other can not read/write/execute this directory. only root can do stuff, so no one with a web browser can see it cause apache can not read the contents of the directory
/var/www/pics drwxr-x--- root root
Be careful when setting write permissions to directory that are viewable from the web, it can be possible that someone will put nasty stuff there.