In Adobe Photoshop, "Exposure" can refer to two things: a specific *adjustment tool* used to fix lighting or a popular *creative effect* called "Double Exposure." Here is a guide on how to handle both. --- 1. The Exposure Adjustment Tool This tool is designed to simulate the way a camera's sensor captures light. It is more "aggressive" than the Brightness/Contrast tool because it targets high-dynamic-range (HDR) data. How to use it: 1. *Go to the Adjustments Panel:* Click the *Exposure* icon (looks like a +/- sign) or go to `Layer New Adjustment Layer Exposure`. (Using an Adjustment Layer is better because it’s non-destructive). 2. *Adjust the 3 Sliders:* *Exposure:* Primarily adjusts the **highlights**. Moving this right will brighten the brightest parts of your image; moving it left will darken them. *Offset:* Primarily adjusts the **shadows and midtones**. It shifts the black point. Slide it right to "fade" the blacks (creating a matte look) or left to deepen them. *Gamma Correction:* Adjusts the *midtones* specifically without affecting the absolute black or white points. It essentially controls the contrast of the middle values. *Pro Tip:* Use the "Eyedropper" tools within the Exposure properties to automatically set the black, white, or gray points by clicking on specific areas of your photo. --- 2. The "Double Exposure" Effect This is a creative technique where you blend two images (usually a silhouette and a landscape) together. How to create it: 1. *Select your Subject:* Use the *Object Selection Tool (W)* to select a person or silhouette, then press `Ctrl/Cmd + J` to put them on a new layer. 2. *Add the Second Image:* Drag and drop your landscape image on top of the subject layer. 3. *Change the Blend Mode:* In the Layers panel, change the top image’s Blend Mode from "Normal" to *Screen* or **Lighten**. This makes the landscape only appear inside the dark areas of your subject. 4. *Create a Clipping Mask:* Right-click the landscape layer and select **Create Clipping Mask**. This "locks" the landscape inside the shape of your subject. 5. *Fine-Tune:* Add a *Levels* or *Curves* adjustment layer to increase the contrast of your base subject, which will make the double exposure "pop" more. --- Exposure vs. Brightness: Which one? | Tool | Best Used For... | | :--- | :--- | | *Exposure* | Correcting "blown out" highlights or underexposed shots; HDR images. | | *Brightness* | Simple, general brightening of an image without changing the "feel" too much. | | *Levels/Curves* | Professional-grade control over specific parts of the light spectrum. | *Would you like me to walk you through a specific workflow, such as fixing a dark photo or creating a stylized double exposure?*