Effects — Photo
Shadows / highlights effect
Recover detail in dark and bright areas with separate shadows and highlights controls.
- Status
- Live
- Category
- Photo
- Settings
- 2
What is the Shadows / highlights effect?
Shadows and highlights adjustments work on specific tonal regions instead of the whole image. Opening up shadows reveals detail in dark areas, and pulling back highlights recovers detail in bright skies and reflections.
This is especially useful for backlit portraits and high-contrast scenes, where a single brightness or contrast change would blow out one part while fixing another.
Shadows / highlights settings
- Shadows
- Highlights
Best photos for it
- Backlit portraits
- High-contrast landscapes
- Interiors with bright windows
Tips for better results
- Tip 01
Lift shadows first and then lower highlights.
- Tip 02
Large changes can look flat or grey; add contrast back with Levels.
- Tip 03
Small changes are usually the most natural.
Common questions
Why do my shadows look noisy after lifting them?
Dark areas contain more sensor noise, and brightening them reveals it. Use smaller changes.
Similar effects
- LevelsFine-tune contrast and brightness by setting the black point, white point and gamma, the classic Levels adjustment.Available
- VibranceBoost colour intelligently with the Vibrance control, which lifts muted tones more than already saturated ones.Available
- Temperature / tintShift photos warmer or cooler and nudge the green–magenta balance with simple temperature and tint controls.Available
Also searched as: Shadow recovery, Highlight recovery, HDR-style look.