How To Use the Exposure Slider in Lightroom

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom allows users to fix problem images by using the Exposure Slider to lighten images. This effect can be used on images that are too dark or could just stand a little brightening or darkening. This tool is so easy to use that even amateur users will easily be able to get the hang of it.

Step 1: Using the Exposure Slider to Brighten Images

When photographs are taken, sometimes even the best images come out a little dark or a little too bright. Lightroom provides users with tools to lighten or darken the entire image. The Exposure Slider basic provides users with tools create this effect.

Generally, the Exposure Slider will focus on the brightest area of an image and make it brighter, or the darkest section of an image and make it darker.

The Exposure Slider is so easy to use that it can be done with any photograph that needs a little fixing. Plus, these changes will be done within the Develop module. The Develop module in Lightroom is where all edits are done. What's nice about Lightroom's Develop module is that it allows users to make significant adjustments to photos without ever having to worry about the original photo being lost.

Effects are not saved until the user makes them permanent. Lightroom even allows users to make virtual copies of their photos to ensure that nothing is ever lost.

Step 2: Using the Exposure Slider to Adjust Images

To adjust photos via the Exposure Slider, users should follow the easy step-by-step instructions that are listed below.

Open up the photo that needs to be changed. Users should go ahead and make any other changes that need to be done. For example, users can crop the photo to solely focus on the subject of the photo.

In the Develop module, go into the Basic tab, and click on Treatment, then Color.

In the Color tab, find the Reset Tone panel. Go to Exposure, and slide the Amount Slider left to make the image darker or right to make the image brighter.

If the image becomes too dark or too light, just move the slider in the opposite direction to fix it. For example, if the image look too bright, simply move the slider back to the left to make it darker and add more contrast.

Step 3: Things to Remember

The Exposure Slider will not only affect brightness; it may also affect how colors look. Standard colors like blue, yellow and green will take on tints as the slider moves. Users may also lose some photo highlights. This can be fixed via the Recover Slider, which can be found right underneath the Exposure slider. To bring back the highlights, users should move the slider to the right.

If a user cannot get the photo just right, they may try adjusting the Brightness Slider as well. This does practically the same thing as the Exposure Slider, except in slightly different ways. The Brightness Slider will also brighten up the mid-tone region of photos.