Shimshak Studios

by JEREMIAH SHIMSHAK

We’ve all had this happen at one time or another. You thought you captured the perfect photo with your digital camera, but once you get it on the computer and view it, you find out it’s way too dark. That “perfect photo” is lost forever… OR IS IT???
Try this quick and simple Photoshop tutorial and “rescue” that photo.

BEFORE AFTER

STEP 1:
Open your photo in Photoshop and make a copy of the Background Layer by:
(1) Choosing Layer> Duplicate Layer
or by (2) Dragging it to the New Layer Icon () at the bottom of the Layers palette.

STEP 2:
In the Layers palette, change the Blend Mode of the Background Copy layer from Normal to Screen. This will lighten the photo.

STEP 3:
If the photo is still too dark, repeat STEP 1 and STEP 2 until the photo looks “overexposed” or too light.

STEP 4:
Click on the last layer that you made (the one that’s too light) and lower the Opacity, using the slider at the top right of the layers palette until your photo looks good.

STEP 5:
Click on the Layers palette menu in the upper right corner of the palette) and choose Flatten Image. Don’t forget to save your “rescued” photo by choosing File> Save.