Since we’re talking about darkening images in Photoshop, that means you’ll move the Exposure Slider left.Īs you move this slider further left, your image will become increasingly dark. The Exposure slider will control the overall brightness or darkness of your photo. Regardless of which method you used, a dialogue box will appear with three different sliders called: Since it’s always nice to work non-destructively and have the option to refine adjustments, the adjustment panel method is more favorable. Instead, the darkening adjustment will apply directly to your image, making it uneditable. The difference with this way is that you will not have an Exposure Adjustment Layer created afterward. You can achieve a similar result by going to Image > Adjustments > Exposure to create a new exposure adjustment. If you don’t see this panel, go up to Window > Adjustments. The first way is by going to your Adjustments Panel and selecting the Exposure Adjustment icon. There are a couple of different ways you can create an Exposure Adjustment Layer depending on your preferences. For images with blown-out highlights, this is a great tool to use. The exposure adjustment layer allows you to control your image’s overall exposure (aka brightness) with a single slider. The three adjustment methods below are the fastest and easiest to use, no matter your ability levels. To avoid overwhelm, let’s focus on the three most important ones.

There are a ton of different ways to make these adjustments in Photoshop. 3 Easy Tools For Darkening Images In Photoshop

Let’s get into the specifics and get you up to speed on the best ways to darken images in Photoshop. This will darken your entire image at once and correct any overexposed areas.ĭepending on the exact darkening adjustment you want to perform, there are a few different ways to do it. In the dialogue box that appears, move the “Exposure” slider to the left to darken your photo.

To darken an image in Photoshop, go to Image > Adjustments > Exposure to create a new Exposure Adjustment Layer. With the tips outlined below, you’ll be able to correct your bright photos in no time. Whether you need to darken your entire photo, a single layer, or only target a specific area, Photoshop makes it easy. With a photo that’s just a little too bright, Photoshop is here to save the day by offering several simple image darkening tools.

Make a white overlay in photoshop