However, with some images, parts of the image will already be bright enough, while other parts will be too dim. In the example below, adjusting the brightness caused the silhouette around the animal's fur to be too bright and the fur to look washed out. Click above image to see the enlarged version. Click above image to see the enlarged version. In cases such as these, the best solution is a more delicate approach, which can be found via the Tone Map .
Positive values increase brightness, while negative values decrease brightness.
By using the Tone Map's controls, you can selectively increase brightness in one area of the image, and increase brightness more, increase brightness less, leave brightness unchanged, or even decrease brightness, in other areas of the image. Click above image to see the enlarged version. When I adjusted this image's Tone Map, I increased Shadows 12 points, increased Midtones 8 points, and increased Highlights 4 points. The result is an image with a much more balanced improvement in brightness. Click above image to see the enlarged version.