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When taking photographs an important consideration is the amount of light entering the lens; a consequence of lack of light control is an inadequate light reading. This results in either over dark - or over light pictures, that usually lack image detail. Photoshop can improve over, or underexposed images; however, if images are considerably underexposed, (or overexposed) - often, there is no image data to retrieve - if this is so, your photograph could be unsalvageable. However, don’t let this prevent you from trying to improve your image. The trick to successful repairs is to correctly match the problem with the right tool - or combination of tools. Once you know the correct tool, or tools to employ, you will be better equipped to improve your pictures.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
Overexposure is much harder to correct than underexposure
If the image is too light there is often no image data available for highlight adjustments - and because highlight detail is usually predominant in images, overexposed images may not be salvageable. Pastel colours are the hardest to salvage as they appear as burned white, and trying to improve overexposed pastel colours can result in a grey muddy colour. Therefore, the best compromise may be to reduce white values with the Histogram in Photoshop’s Levels Editor.
This lesson demonstrates how to improve overexposed photographs as much as is possible. My lesson Here explains how to improve underexposed photographs.
Repairing photographs is not a precise science. Undoubtedly, you will require considerable patience and lots of time. Additionally, individual photographs have different needs, and require different filters and commands.
Improve overexposed photographs
This lesson demonstrates the steps I took to repair my photograph.
1/
Open an overexposed image onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Note: Skies can the first area to suffer from underexposure - my tutorial Here demonstrates how to rescue them.
2/
Now, from the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Auto Levels.
3/
Then from the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Auto Contrast. This improved my image only marginally, I am therefore applying another filter - however, it may improve your image better.
4/
From the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Brightness/Contrast. I changed my Brightness and Contrast settings to the following - however, adjust the Brightness and Contrast sliders to find settings that work for you.
5/ Hue/Saturation (and Lightness) Filter
This filter is worth experimenting with to bring a little colour back into your image, if needed. From the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Hue/Saturation.
For my image, I increased just the Hue, to +6, which resulted in the following.
I am going to complete my task by applying a sharpening filter. If you wish to improve your image further, then The Levels Editor is your next step. Therefore, link to my lesson, then return to this lesson to learn how to apply a final sharpening filter. I demonstrate Photoshop’s Levels Editor Here.
6/ Sharpening Filter
After manipulating and improving photographs, (especially after resizing), it is a good idea to finish by applying a sharpening filter. To do so, from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Sharpen, and you have the following choice of filters.
The Dodge and Burn Tools.  Lesson.
The Dodge and Burn Tools are used for lightening (or darkening) areas of photographs. If you find certain areas are too dark, or too light, then activate either the Dodge Tool to lighten them, or the Burn Tool to darken them - working between Midtones, Shadows or Highlights as needed. Remember to adjust the amount of Exposure, as necessary.
Final Notes
Problematic photographs have varying degrees of overexposure, and there is no magic cure. Experiment with the steps I have mentioned in this lesson, incorporating Photoshop’s, and your favourite third party filters. Depending on the severity of overexposure, different combinations of filters and commands, can improve your photograph enough to make them functional.
The photograph (below left), demonstrates a badly overexposed photograph - rendering much of the image unsalvageable. The best I could do was to darken the pixels, then apply a gradient sky, as explained Here.
 
If you wanted to, you could fill in white areas with the Colour Replacement Tool or the Brush Tool.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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