[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS


Home
INTRODUCTION Intro to Elements
Beginners
PS Elements 9
HELP All About LAYERS
 Tutorials
Books
Handy Tips
Resources
The Toolbox
Ask A Question
Video Tutorials
Digital Prints
WHAT'S NEW Blog
Amazon Shopping
MISC About
Contact
Privacy Policy
 

Fix Underexposed Photos Fast

Underexposed photos are a real let down. We all know the disappointment of taking pictures of those once-in-a-lifetime moments only to find that they turn out so dark you can hardly see them.


This tutorial will show you how to fix your dark photos with Photoshop Elements. And it's amazingly fast.



STEP 1
Open an image that is underexposed.



STEP 2
Duplicate the Background layer by dragging it onto the Create a new layer icon at the top of the Layers palette or just press Control-J (Mac: Command-J) on the keyboard. At the top of the Layers palette click in the field that says Normal. The field will expand allowing you to see all the blend modes available. Slide down the list to Screen and release the mouse button. You will notice your photo is already lighter. But it might still be too dark like mine is.


STEP 3
Now just keep adding layers until it gets to the point where you like it. Each new layer will be a little lighter than the last one.

To quickly add the new layers make sure you start on the screened layer (Layer 1) and then keep pressing Control-J (Mac: Command-J) on the keyboard. Every time you do you'll add a new, lighter layer.

You can see from the image below it took 5 additional layers until it got to the point where I was happy with it.


You can actually purposely go one layer too far, to the point where your photo looks too light. Then just use the Opacity slider in the top-right of the Layers palette to bring down the opacity until it looks just right. Note I did not do that in my example.

That's all there is to it. Take a look at the before and after below to see the dramatic improvement we made in just a couple of minutes!



That wraps up this Photoshop Elements tutorial on how to fix underexposed photos. See more Photoshop Elements tutorials by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

Until next time,
Rick


Go to Home page
Go to Tutorials page from underexposed photos


New! Comments

I value your input! Please leave me a comment in the box below.

Search This Site:



Sign up for my newsletter
BECAUSE… You get
20 FREE ESSENTIAL PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS TIPS when you do

  • 4 Step-By-Step Videos showing Tips being used 
     
  • One-Page Printable Cheat Sheets of Tips


GREAT PRICES ON BOOKS FOR PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS!


More Content… follow me:

essentialpselements
essentialpselements
essentialpselements


PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 10 - FREE for 30 days

Claim your FREE copy Be using it in 10 minutes from right now! Details Here.


Amazon consistently has the Best Price on Photoshop Elements.

See how this Amazon link supports this site.


Special Offers From Snapfish


"Just a note to say I LOVE your site! There seem to be a few PS Elements tutorials sites, but yours is by far the clearest and easiest to understand. Thanks!" - Ellie
"Watching your tutorials even about things that I think I know I ALWAYS learn something new. A big thank you!" - Douglas

Take An Extra 10% Off Your Order!


"I am thrilled to find such useful and easy-to-understand information for using Photoshop Elements. I can't wait to use your tutorials (especially with my scrapbooking obsession)" - Judy in MS
Good day Rick, "I very appreciate ALL, ALL of your tutos. Very very clear and useful tips, tricks and techniques of how-to in PSE9. A great great work!" - Hoan
"Love your tutorials on YouTube. Very clear and helpful. Thanks a bunch." - Rich
"I love your videos! They have been such a BIG help. I bought the Dummies book, and it's OK, but I do better by watching instead of reading. Kudos to you!" - Cheers, Kathy
"Thank you for this site! I found it through one of your videos on YouTube. Again, thank you so much!" - Vanessa
"This is really a truly generous and very admirable website!" - Cheers, Jonas
Hi Rick! First I've got to say thank you for all the information you share. I can't wait to see the "tips and tricks" you are working on because it sounds like those will help things all come together.I've gone thru several of your tutorials and learn so much. I can't praise you enough for your time and patience. - Vicki.
"Your website is a great service and I thank you!" - Kind Regards, April
"A big thanks to you and your website, and the information and help I get from it, its much appreciated." - Rob
Rick - "Many thanks for your advice, that I will take. A big thank you as well for you outstandingly good tutorials. You do seem to have an amazing knack of making quite complicated tasks seem easy and straightforward. I am a fan!" - With Best Wishes, Tony
Much more helpful than PS Elements 9 for Dummies book.... Thanks so much for your site..truly easy to follow.- Karin
Hi Rick. Just wanted to say a big thank you for all of the great information contained in your tutorials. I've stumbled around PS9 for quite a few weeks now and can't believe quite how easily you explain the different aspects. It's way, way more powerful than I imagined and now, for me, usable too. A big, big thank you from the UK. - Guy