A common image-editing problem is loss of detail due to strong back-lighting. The camera exposes for the brightest part of an image, turning the foreground subject into a silhouette.

Typical problem

As backlit photos are a problem, the Shadow/Highlight command’s default settings restore detail lost in shadows. Highlights Amount is set to 0, as you’re more likely to have problems with the darker parts.

Delicious default

To fix a typical backlit photo go to Image> Adjustments> Shadow/Highlight. By default the Shadows Amount is set to 50%, which is a good starting point for tackling a backlit shot. The Tonal Width defaults to 50%.

Fine-tune

The default settings can introduce unwanted noise into your backlit silhouetted subject. Experiment with the Amount, Tonal Width and Radius settings to fine-tune the amount of visible detail. We’ll explore these in the following pages.