How to Correct Exposure in Photoshop

Subject underexposed? Background blown out? Photos missing detail? We know things don’t always work out perfectly during a photoshoot. But that’s why we have Photoshop!

Learn how to rescue your photos with exposure adjustments in Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop. Remove distractions, draw attention to your subject, and dial in the perfect, balanced exposure.

How to Correct Exposure
Ideally we want exposure to be perfect in-camera. But things don’t always work out when we’re shooting in unpredictable environments or when there are technological hiccups. We all miss on exposure from time to time, so learn how to save those images using the powerful tools in Photoshop and Adobe Camera RAW.

Fix Overexposed or Underexposed Photos
Whether the background is blown out or your subject is underexposed (or both!), we’re going to show you how to rescue an image using powerful exposure adjustment tools. And if you love the magic of photo editing, try Photo Editing 101-301!

Adobe Camera RAW
RAW files are important for the modern photographer–especially when you need to rescue a photo. Learn the power of working with RAW in Photoshop, from making detailed adjustments in Adobe Camera RAW to working non-destructively with Smart Objects.

Recover Details
Lift the shadows on your subject, revealing the beautiful details in their hair, face, and clothing. Bring down the highlights in a blown out background, recovering important environmental elements. Our Photoshop techniques will help you bring balance to the exposure of any image.

Enhance Subjects
If you’re taking headshots or portraits, your subject should be the star of the show. We show you how to help them stand out using exposure adjustments, dodging and burning, object removal, and professional-level sharpening.

Blend Exposures
Learn how to blend multiple exposures together, even when you only have a single RAW file! We’ll show you how to use the Camera RAW Filter to create multiple exposures, each recovering information in the highlights, midtones, and shadows of a portrait. Then blend them together in Photoshop for a seamless final image.