Balance image shadows and highlights

Made for photographers correcting backlit scenes, harsh sunlight or interiors where both bright and dark areas matter.

Recover detail in dark shadows and bright highlights, balancing difficult lighting while keeping the rest of the image natural.

How to use

Load a PNG, JPEG or WebP photo into the tool and make sure the preview appears clearly before changing any setting.
Raise the shadows control to brighten dark areas while leaving the rest of the picture mostly untouched.
Lower the highlights control to bring back detail that looks washed out in very bright regions.
Compare the preview with the original file and fine-tune both values if the correction starts to look unnatural.
Run the process, save the corrected image, then clear the current file before starting another edit.

Example

A photographer returns from a backlit portrait session where the face is too dark and the sky is nearly white. They lift the shadows gently, reduce the highlights, and check that skin tones stay natural while cloud detail remains visible.

Limits and formats

Only one image can be adjusted at a time, and the effect is global rather than brush-based.
Completely blown or crushed areas cannot be restored if the original file no longer contains that detail.
Strong settings may create a flat look, halos or visible noise in dark regions.
The final appearance depends on the source format and compression, so always review the preview before saving.

Where processing happens

Everything happens inside your browser. The image is read locally, the adjustments are calculated in memory, and no file is sent outside your device. This makes the tool suitable for personal pictures that you prefer to keep on your own computer.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use shadows instead of highlights?

Use shadows when the problem is detail lost in dark areas, such as faces in backlight or indoor corners. Use highlights when bright areas look washed out, like skies or windows. Many photos need a small amount of both.

Can I apply the correction to one person only?

No, this tool adjusts the whole frame. If only one face or object needs work, a selective editor with masks is more appropriate, and this tool can still help with an overall balance step afterward.

Will saving the image change the colours?

The exported file should match the preview shown during processing, but other viewers and apps may render colours slightly differently. Open the saved result in the program you normally use before publishing or printing it.