Learn to Control Contrast and Brightness

There are only a few elements that go into controlling exposure in photography. The lens aperture (f/stop), speed of the film (ISO), duration of the exposure (time), and the quality of the imaging sensor. During the editing process, also known as post production, the exposure can be adjusted further using the controls for contrast and brightness.

The amount of light in a photograph is called brightness. The longer the exposure, the wider the aperture, or the higher the ISO, the brighter the final image will be. Virtually every photo and imaging editor has a brightness control. Adjusting the brightness control will change the photograph being edited just like taking the photograph with a higher or lower f/stop would.

Too much brightness will cause your image to washout. The contrast control will help prevent washing out the photograph. Contrast is the range from the blackest black to the whitest white in the image. Contrast control changes how bright the brightest area is and how dark the darkest area is. This will compensate for the changes the brightness control makes. It is important to learn how to use contrast and brightness together during the editing process.

Seldom does an entire photograph need to have its contrast and brightness corrected. Usually there are just some areas that need to be corrected. Such brightening the shadows to see the detail, like the face of a person who is backlit by the Sun. With film in a darkroom this was called dodging and burning. Now, with digital editing programs like Photoshop or GIMP you can learn select the area of interest and edit it to perfection.