[quote][b]Introduction:[/b] This tutorial will show you how to retouch a dark photo to make it look brighter and more attractive. [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P1.jpg[/img][/align] [b]Step 1: [/b] Open your photo in Photoshop. Go to [b]Image > Adjustments > Curves (Ctrl + M)[/b] to go to Curves dialog box. Set something like the picture below: [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P3.jpg[/img][/align] [b]Step 2: [/b] Press[b] Ctrl-B to open Color Balance.[/b] [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P4.jpg[/img][/align] [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P5.jpg[/img][/align] [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P6.jpg[/img][/align] [b]Step 3:[/b] Increase green of the leaves by pressing Ctrl-U and choose Green from the drop-down box. [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P7.jpg[/img][/align] Now our photo looks much brighter. [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P8.jpg[/img][/align] [b]Step 4: [/b] Go to [b]Image > Adjustments > Levels[/b]. [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P9.jpg[/img][/align] [b]Step 5: [/b] We will make her skin smoother. Go to[b] Select > Color Range[/b] and click on any point on her skin to sample it. [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P10.jpg[/img][/align] [b]Step 6: [/b] Go to [b]Filter > Blur > Surface Blur[/b] [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P11.jpg[/img][/align] And here is my final result, the picture looks brighter and more attractive: [align=center][img]http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j249/vanraid8/Ftalk%20PS%20tutorial%20Color%20and%20Brightness%20Retouch/P12.jpg[/img][/align] I hope the technique showed here will help you in your future work. But please remember to use your own judgements when playing with color and brightness.[/quote] [b]Source File:[/b] From our office