subject: How to correctly adjust exposure and contrast in a photo? [print this page]
To correctly adjust exposure and contrast, first set your exposure for overall scene brightness, then fine-tune contrast using a histogram. Avoid crushing shadows or blowing out highlights by adjusting Whites and Blacks first, and use localized tools like the Tone Curve or masks for perfect balance.
Adjusting in Post-Production (e.g., Lightroom, Photoshop)
Most editing software uses a similar set of sliders in the Basic/Light panel. To dial in your settings:
1. Set the Black and White Points: Before touching the main Exposure or Contrast sliders, adjust your Whites and Blacks. While looking at your histogram, push the whites up to brighten the image until you see a warning for clipped highlights (pure white with no detail), then back it off. Do the same with the blacks, pushing down until you see clipping (pure black), then back off to retain shadow detail.
2. Balance the Exposure: Use the Exposure slider as your primary brightness adjustment. This affects the midtones of your image the most.
3. Control the Contrast: Using the global Contrast slider pushes the brightest and darkest areas apart. For more precise results, use the Tone Curve. Lift the highlights slightly and lower the shadows to create a gentle "S-curve," which adds depth without flattening your image.
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