Select Image > Adjustments > Shadow/Highlight.
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Adjust image shadows and highlights
Last updated on
Sep 29, 2026
Adjust image shadows and highlights in Photoshop.
Apply Shadow/Highlight adjustments to correct backlighting and brighten dark areas by analyzing each pixel's surrounding area and adjusting tones locally rather than globally.
The Shadow/Highlight command applies adjustments directly to the image layer and discards information.
Apply shadow and highlight corrections
Select the Preview checkbox to see adjustments update in real time.
Move the Amount slider in the Shadows or Highlights section, or enter a percentage value. Higher values lighten shadows or darken highlights.
Select Show More Options to access Tonal Width, Radius, and other refinement controls.
Select Save As Defaults to store your current settings for future use, or Shift-click Save As Defaults to restore factory defaults.
Tip
For well-exposed images that need only subtle shadow recovery, try values between 0–25% for both Shadows Amount and Shadows Tonal Width.
You can save and reload custom settings by selecting Save to export a .ahu file, then using Load to apply those settings to other images.
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