Shadows and Highlight Adjustments

Intermediate

Tweaking shadows

Open Photo

Select from top menu bar...

Image              >            Adjustments           >          Shadows / Highlights

More Options     >            Tick Box

Shadows

Highlight Amount should be set to 0%

Shadows: 25% is a good starting point (default is 50%) Adjusting the Shadows Tonal Width and Radius sliders to the right will give a more realistic look.

Lowering Tonal Width, lets you effect only the darkest shadow areas. Increasing Tonal Width effects a wider range of shadows. Increase it too much and it begins to effect the midtones as well..

Radius amount determines how many pixels wide each adjustment effects.

If you increase shadow detail, the colours may become too saturated. If that's the case, reduce the Colour Correction amount. (which basically only effects the area you are adjusting) You can also adjust the contrast in the midtones using the Midtone Contrast slider.

Only the darkest shadow areas have been lightened

Before                                                After

If you overdo the corrections your photo will begin to take on a milky look.

Highlights

Shadow amount should be set to 0%

Dragging the Amount slider to the right pulls back the highlights (makes them darker) giving you less highlights.

Tonal Width effects only the brightest highlights

Radius Amount determines how many pixels wide each adjustment effects.

Your turn to experiment, try the Highlights adjustment ;-)

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