Editing Your Photos Is Essential — The Basics

Correction of Overexposed and Underexposed Images

The Basics  The basics of photo editing are often reduced to three elements: exposure, focus, and color. On Warren Camp Design photo editing pages, Warren covers the importance of exposure correction. Many more elements and techniques are described on the WCD photo editing pages in the left column.

Salvaging poorly exposed images  Photography is the art of recording light. What if a photo you've taken suffers from problematic exposure? It may be too dark and dull (underexposed) or too bright with colors and image details washed out (overexposed). Photo editors know how to retrieve details lost in an overexposed image or accentuate features in an underexposed image. Adobe Photoshop isn't magic; but an experienced editor can use it to adjust the density of light to bring back essential details lost through improper exposure settings.

 Underexposure: Causes and effects  Shooting in a dimly lit space; standing too far from a subject; setting a camera's shutter speed (the length of time the shutter stays open) too fast. Details are often lost in the shadows.

 Overexposure: Causes and effects  Shooting in bright light, such as noonday sun or an excessive amount of flash or artificial light. Results include loss of detail with flat washed-out, light areas. Colors should be saturated, not faded. White areas should hold details.

Below are sample underexposure corrections Warren made to improperly exposed images. Don't miss his overexposure correction page.


Underexposed Image Corrections

Here come three before and after comic look transitions

First Underexposure Correction  Move your cursor on then off this image to see how Warren corrected the original underexposed photo of a crested, long-billed worm eater.

Before and after shots of an underexposed image that Warren corrected of a long-billed worm eater


Second Underexposure Correction  Move your cursor on then off this image to see how Warren corrected the original underexposed photo of two Kenyan children.

Before and after shots of an underexposed image that Warren corrected of two young Kenyan children

Photo credit: Andrew Fisher



Third Underexposure Correction  Move your cursor on then off this image to see how Warren corrected the original underexposed photo of two African lions.

Before and after shots of an underexposed image that Warren corrected of two African lions

Photo credit: Andrew Fisher



Fourth Underexposure Correction  Move your cursor on then off this image to see how Warren corrected the original underexposed photo of snow-covered mountain slopes.

Before and after shots of an underexposed image that Warren corrected of snow-covered mountain slopes

Underexposure Correction  |  Overexposure Correction


In addition to the exposure corrections shown on these two pages,
see the large collection of WCD's photo edit pages in the left column.



Don't wait any longer to showcase your photo presentations. Contact Warren Camp Design today, at 209-795-7661, to discuss your upcoming campaign and learn how Warren can utilize his digital artistry skills to enhance and give prominence to your photos.

WCD photo enhancements, edits, and touch-ups


Editing Basics Special Techniques Photo Builds Text on Photos Special Effects
on Images Special Effects
on Backgrounds Borders and Frames

To discuss your photo editing needs, contact Warren by or phone, 209-795-7661.

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