How to Fix Overexposed Photos in Photoshop 2021

A sufficient amount of light is required for beautiful photos, but you may not always be able to obtain the perfect lighting in your shots. As a result, there may be overexposed photography for some images, hiding critical details. Understanding numerous strategies to fix overexposed photos in photoshop can make it much easier to edit such photographs.

Nothing is more aggravating than a ruined photograph. Blown-out whites, also known as overexposed photos, are frequently caused by intense sunlight, too much flash, or glare from shiny surfaces, lowering the overall quality of the image.

Why is a Photograph Overexposed?

There are numerous reasons why a photograph may be overexposed. First, since our eyes can process considerably more detail than a camera, we can’t capture photos by measuring the scene with our eyes. In addition, our eyes can distinguish between light and shadow, but our cameras cannot do so.

One primary reason for overexposed photography is incorrect light meter measurement. Most professional cameras include a built-in light meter, and understanding how light meters function is essential if you want to avoid overexposure.

Adobe Photoshop CC provides several tools for dealing with parts that have been covered by overexposure and how to remove bright light in photoshop. All of these ways are simple and quick, demonstrating how practical Photoshop is for photo enhancement.

It’s important to note that images shot in RAW are more readily usable with these procedures. This is since RAW photographs contain significantly more information than other picture formats such as JPEG.

How to Fix Overexposed Photos in Photoshop?

You may repair overexposed photographs in Photoshop in a variety of ways. You can choose one and test it out to discover which one works best for your particular instance of overexposure. Here are three ways on how to fix overexposed photos.

Use Shadows/Highlights Adjustment to Fix Overexposed Photos

The shadows or highlights adjustment is a usual method for correcting Exposure. Since this approach impacts the entire image, it’s best used for photographs with a sizable overexposed region.

Step 1: In Adobe Photoshop CC, open the image that has to be corrected.

Step 2: Choose to Convert for Smart Filters from the Filters option at the top bar. This would transform your image into smart filters, allowing for future re-editing. You may skip this if an intelligent filter is not required in the image.

Step 3: Click over the Adjustments option in the Image menu. Choose the Shadows/Highlights option from the expanded submenu.

Step 4: A dialog box with sliders for Shadows and Highlights will appear.

To restore details from overexposed regions, increase the Highlights considerably. Also, you can play around with the slider to see what looks best.

Step 5: Reduce the Shadows slider if you find the darkness is too much. Gradually increase it until you achieve the desired look.

Use Radial Filter to Fix Overexposed Photos

When you’re afraid that modifying the entire image would destroy the rest of it, this method is the best option. The Radial Filter will create an elliptical selection on the overexposed portions, which you can then adjust.

Step 1: Import the picture into Adobe Photoshop CC.

Step 2: Select the Camera Raw Filter option from the Filter menu.

Step 3: Choose the Radial Filter icon located immediately above the image.

Step 4: Now, move your mouse around the place that needs to be specified by pressing and dragging it.

Step 5: After creating the radial filter, go to the left panel and click the inside Effect button. This ensures that whatever modifications you make affect the filter’s inner side.

Step 6: Adjust the Exposure slider and lower it.

Step 7: Increase the highlights a little.

Step 8: The majority of your white details will be restored after changing these two sliders, but you may additionally work with the Whites, Blacks, and Shadows if necessary.

Use Adjustment Layers to Fix Overexposed Photos

One of the simplest ways to modify Exposure in Photoshop is to add Curves, Levels, Exposure, and Brightness/ Contrast adjustment layers to the photo. This offers you more control over the effects and the ability to conceal the layers while making modifications.

Step 1: In Adobe Photoshop CC, open the picture that needs to be edited.

Step 2: By choosing the background layer in the layer panel, create a duplicate layer. On a PC, press CTRL + J; on a Mac, press CMD + J. There will be a duplicate layer produced on which you may operate.

Step 3: Create a layer for exposure adjustment. Select Exposure from the Create a New Adjustment Layer button below the layers panel. Reduce the Exposure slightly in the Exposure adjustment window until you see some of the changes you want.

Step 4: Select another adjustment layer and choose Brightness/Contrast if increasing the Exposure creates a lot of darkness.

Step 5: To regain the darkness caused by reduced Exposure, adjust the Brightness. You may also adjust the contrast as needed to achieve even better results.

Step 6: If needed, add the Curves correction layer for the image and select Curves from the Create a New Adjustment Layer menu.

Step 7: Reduce the curves somewhat from the previous level.

Step 8: The adjustment layers you’ve created should be grouped. Select all the adjustment layers by pressing and holding CTRL/CMD. To group these layers, use CTRL/CMD + G.

Step 9: To see the last look, click the visibility symbol next to the layer group. To see the after look, click on it one more time.

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Final Words

While working with Photoshop, one of the most typical activities will be to correct the Exposure in certain sections of your photos. This is why, to speed up your productivity, you’ll need to learn a range of tools and approaches on how to fix overexposed photos. 

It is recommended that you always keep an eye on the camera settings and take your time with each photo. If none of those works, you always have the option of post-processing. The next time you have a question about fixing overexposed photos, use one of these ways to get the job done much faster.