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This tutorial demonstrates how to clarify detail that has been lost in shadows - using the Shadows and Highlights command. To work along, you can download the image I am working with Here. Unzip the file and open it onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Note
Photographs will always react uniquely, therefore for personal results, experiment with all settings.
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. 
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Open your photograph onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Tip - Optional
To protect the window from the Shadow and Highlights command, very carefully, mask (isolate) each window segment with a selection marquee - do this using the Polygonal Lasso Tool, ensuring Add to selection is active, and Feather is set to 0 - Lesson. Now, Inverse the marquee, and the window will then be protected from the Shadow and Highlights filter. Although this is not essential, it provides a better result.
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From the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Shadow and Highlights. The default Shadow and Highlights settings will be automatically applied to your image, and you will notice an immediate improvement. Do Not click OK. Instead, scroll to the bottom of the dialogue box, and click a dot into Show More Options.
Now, to further clarify shadowed detail, position the Shadows and Highlights command so you can see your photograph to its side, and experiment with the Shadows sliders; adjusting Amount, Tonal Width and Radius to lighten detail. Now move onto the Highlights tab; adjusting its Amount, Tonal Width and Radius. In the Adjustments dialogue box, experiment with Colour Correction and Midtone Contrast. Finally, the Black Clip and White Clip settings create severe contrast, preparing your work for print - if in doubt, leave both Black and White Clip to their default 0.01% values.
Note
You are looking to brighten the shadows, whilst at the same time, preserving the highlights. These are the settings I applied to my image, yours may different.
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Tip
Further darken, or lighten your image, with the Dodge and Burn Tools. Additionally, deepen, or remove colour, using the Sponge Tool - with either, the Saturate or Desaturate Modes.
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You will notice the lightened shadows appear grainy. To remove small areas of noise, activate the Blur Tool, and with a very low Strength, paint over (to blur) the grain.
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After you have experimented with the sliders, and are happy with your result, (if applicable) press Ctrl then D to remove the marquee, then from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image, then save your work
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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