Photograph is too dark

Dark image

There are two ways to brighten an image; the first is to use the level adjustment, the second is to adjust the tone curve. Level adjustment will cause the entire image to become brighter, whereas the tone curve will cause a smooth increase in brightness while maintaining the bright and shaded areas.

To adjust the level in Photoshop, select Adjust from the Image menu and click "Levels." Select Preview and drag the gray triangle at the lower right corner of the histogram graph (not the shaded bar) to the left. This causes the image to brighten gradually. When you reach the desired brightness level, click "OK."

To use the tone curve in Photoshop, select Adjust from the Image menu and click "Levels." When the dialog box opens, select Preview, place the cursor in the center of the line, and drag it to the upper left so that it forms a convex curve. When you reach the desired brightness level, click "OK."

Image after making adjustments

Compare:Understanding Printers/Photograph is too bright

Compare:Glossary/Tone curve