Exposure Problems

Reducing Under Exposure

Level Basic +

This is a question I get asked all the time, you photo is all dark, can something be done with it? The photo is of course under exposed.

The simple answer is yes... But you will need to do some work to make an acceptable photo.

Open photo

CTRL+J            Duplicate the background layer (Layer1)

Change the blend mode in the Layers palette (above) from Normal to Screen

Before                                           After

If you repeat CTRL+J again (go on try it ;-) you will lighten the photo again. It is possible to have a half layer so to speak. Click on "Opacity:" and alter the percentage of lightening.

These techniques are used in many branches of photography, from professional to amateur to forensic photographer.

Over Exposed Photos

If your photograph is under exposed (too light). Repeat the above until you get to-

Change the blend mode in the Layers palette (above) from Normal to Multiply.

 Again you can repeat the effect or control its opacity with the "Opacity:" level

Remember if you have made an exposure mistake all is not lost, but some of the detail in the photo will not be present.  You will see from the example above that you have lost sky detail to reveal the foreground. This is where more detailed and selective adjustments will be required, this is where the work begins. See next tutorial...

Selective exposure correction

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