Photography is an art, but even the best photographers sometimes capture images that are too bright (overexposed) or too dark (underexposed). The good news is that Photoshop offers powerful tools to fix these issues and restore the balance in your photos. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the steps to adjust exposure and bring out the best in your images.

Step 1: Open Your Photo in Photoshop

Start by launching Photoshop and opening the image you want to adjust. Navigate to File > Open, and select your photo from your computer.

Step 2: Duplicate the Background Layer

Before making any adjustments, duplicate your background layer to preserve the original image. Simply right-click the background layer in the Layers panel and select Duplicate Layer. Rename the new layer if desired.

Step 3: Adjust Exposure Using Adjustment Layers

Adjustment layers are non-destructive, meaning they don’t alter the original photo. Follow these steps to fix the exposure:

For Overexposed Photos:

1. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Exposure.

2. Reduce the Exposure slider to lower the brightness. Start with small increments (-0.5 to -1) and adjust as needed.

3. Use the Gamma Correction slider to fine-tune the midtones. A value between 0.8 and 1 can often help balance the brightness.

For Underexposed Photos:

1. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Exposure.

2. Increase the Exposure slider to brighten the image. Start with small increments (0.5 to 1) and adjust as needed.

3. Use the Offset slider to lighten shadows without overexposing highlights. A value like 0.01 works well for subtle adjustments.

Step 4: Fine-Tune with the Levels or Curves Adjustment

To achieve more precise control, use the Levels or Curves adjustment layers:

Using Levels:

1. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels.

2. Adjust the Input Levels sliders:

   • Move the black slider (left) to darken shadows.

   • Move the white slider (right) to brighten highlights.

   • Adjust the gray slider (middle) to balance midtones.

Using Curves:

1. Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Curves.

2. Click on the curve line to create anchor points.

   • Drag the lower section of the curve down to darken shadows.

   • Drag the upper section of the curve up to brighten highlights.

   • Adjust the curve shape to fine-tune the overall exposure.

Step 5: Check and Compare Adjustments

Toggle the visibility of your adjustment layers to compare the edited version with the original image. Use the Eye icon next to the adjustment layers in the Layers panel to turn them on and off.

Step 6: Apply Final Touches

1. Enhance Details: Use the Camera Raw Filter (under Filter > Camera Raw Filter) to fine-tune exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows.

2. Sharpen the Image: Apply sharpening if the photo appears soft. Go to Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask, and adjust the settings to your preference.

3. Crop if Needed: Crop the image to improve its composition.

Step 7: Save Your Photo

Once you’re satisfied with the results, save your edited photo. Go to File > Save As and choose the format you need, such as JPEG or PNG. For maximum quality, save a copy in PSD format to retain the layers for future edits.

Tips for Preventing Exposure Issues in Future Photos

• Use the exposure meter on your camera to achieve balanced lighting.

• Shoot in RAW format to retain more details for editing.

• Experiment with bracketing to capture multiple exposures of the same scene.

With these steps, you can rescue overexposed and underexposed photos, transforming them into stunning, well-balanced images. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist, mastering these techniques in Photoshop will take your editing skills to the next level.

For all the latest tips and tricks. Be sure to check out this Photoshop Channel. 

Thanks for reading!