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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, and 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.
This lesson demonstrates how to improve underexposed photographs.
My lesson Here explains how to improve overexposed 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 underexposed photographs
This lesson demonstrates the steps I took to repair my photograph.
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 an underexposed image onto Photoshop’s workspace. Leaves Image Here.
Note
I took this photograph on a bright day, and the sun momentarily disappeared behind a cloud. This made it difficult for my camera to gage the light entering the lens, resulting in a dark (underexposed) picture.
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Then from the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Auto Contrast. This filter solves underexposure problems approximately 50% of the time.
Auto Contrast lightened my image to the following degree.
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If Auto Contrast does not significantly improve your image, then try this step. From the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Auto levels.
Auto Levels has improved my image by just a small degree, I am therefore applying another filter.
4/
From the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments then choose Brightness/Contrast. I changed the Brightness and Contrast settings to the
following.
Which changed my image to the following.
However, if after adjusting the Brightness and Contrast slider, you see no significant improvement to your image, then the next step is the Levels Editor, which is explained in more detail Here.
5/ 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.
I applied the Unsharp Mask filter to my image, and settings depend on individual images.
The Dodge and Burn Tools.  Lesson.
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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.
Lightening a shadowed face with The Dodge Tool
If you have taken a photograph, (especially on a sunny day), and you find the subject’s face is in shadow, the Dodge Tool will lighten it. If you prefer, first isolate the face with a marquee, then, lighten the shadowed face by carefully left-clicking it with the Dodge Tool.
Final Notes
Every problematic photograph has varying degrees of underexposure, and there is no magic cure. Experiment with the steps I have mentioned in this lesson, incorporating Photoshops’ (and your favourite third party filters). Depending on the severity of underexposure, different combinations of filters and commands, can improve your photograph enough to make them functional.
This photograph demonstrates a badly underexposed photograph - rendering the churches detail (largely) unsalvageable.
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