Case: How should I fix the overly bright background in the photo?
I usually don't do any post-processing on photos; I'm a complete beginner. However, there is one photo with a small issue that bothers me a bit, and if possible, I would like to fix it.
The background in the photo is too bright, making the flowers, which are the main subject, not stand out at all. I want to darken the background a bit, but how should I do it?

A photo with a bright or overexposed background can lose important details, distort colors, and create an unbalanced look. Whether you're capturing landscapes or portraits, dealing with too much light can be frustrating. Here, you’ll learn how to fix photo with bright background.

How to Fix Bright Background in Photo on iPhone

Photos taken on iPhone can sometimes have blown-out skies or overly bright backdrops, especially when using auto mode in harsh lighting. Luckily, the iPhone's built-in editing tools allow you to correct these issues effectively without needing extra apps.

1. Locate the photo with the bright background that you want to fix. Tap to open it in full-screen.

2. On the top-right corner, tap the “Edit” button.

3. Scroll through the adjustment tools (displayed as icons below the photo) and select “Exposure.” Slide the bar to the left to reduce the image’s brightness, helping tone down the background.

4. Now select “Highlights.” Again, slide left to recover detail in bright areas. This is especially useful for bringing back cloud textures or background buildings lost in the light.

5. To enhance image depth, increase “Shadows” slightly to bring back dark areas, and fine-tune “Contrast” to better separate the subject from the background.

6. The “Brilliance” tool helps optimize exposure and contrast together, while adjusting the “Black Point” gives more punch to the shadows.

7. When you're satisfied with the adjustments, click “Done” to save the changes.

How to Fix Overexposed Photos in Photoshop

When working with high-resolution or professional images, Photoshop offers precision and control unmatched by simpler apps. If your photo suffers from overexposure, especially across multiple areas, Photoshop allows selective editing for advanced correction.

1. Launch Photoshop and go to File > Open, then choose the overexposed image you want to fix.

2. Right-click on the background layer in the Layers panel and select “Duplicate Layer.” This keeps the original safe in case you want to compare later.

3. Navigate to Filter > Camera Raw Filter. This opens a powerful adjustment interface where you can correct exposure, highlights, and shadows more naturally.

4. In the Basic panel, slide the “Exposure” bar left to globally reduce brightness. Then, lower the “Highlights” to recover blown-out background areas.

5. Boost “Shadows” slightly to preserve detail in underexposed areas. Adjust “Blacks” carefully to add depth and contrast.

6. Go to the “Tone Curve” tab for more targeted control. Create anchor points and drag down the highlight section while raising the shadows to enhance balance.

7. To fix only the background, use tools like the Gradient Filter or Adjustment Brush to apply corrections only to the bright zones.

8. Click “OK” to apply the adjustments.

How to Fix Photos with Bright Background in Lightroom

Lightroom is another powerful tool favored by photographers for batch editing and detailed adjustments. Its non-destructive workflow and intuitive sliders make it perfect for fixing bright or overexposed backgrounds.

1. Launch Lightroom and import the photo with the bright background into your Library.

2. Click on “Develop” in the top panel to access editing tools.

3. In the Basic Panel, reduce the “Exposure” slider to tone down overall brightness. Then lower the “Highlights” slider to bring back missing details in the background.

4. Increase the “Shadows” to lighten the darker parts of the image and regain balance. Then slightly reduce “Whites” to control remaining harsh highlights.

5. Click on the Tone Curve panel. Adjust the top-right section (highlights) downward, and slightly lift the bottom-left section (shadows) for more contrast.

6. Use the Graduated Filter tool to drag a filter across the background area. Inside the filter settings, further lower exposure and highlights for the selected region only.

7. After completing all edits, go to File > Export to save your final image in the desired format and resolution.

Tips: How to Avoid Photos Overexposed Efficiently?

While post-processing can help recover overexposed areas, the best solution is to prevent overexposure from happening in the first place. Here is practical, easy-to-follow tips:

1. Shoot in Better Lighting Conditions

Avoid shooting during midday when sunlight is harshest. Opt for early mornings or late afternoons (golden hour) for softer, more even lighting.

2. Use Manual Exposure Settings

If your camera or phone allows manual control, lower your ISO, increase shutter speed, and adjust aperture to reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor.

3. Use Exposure Compensation

Most smartphones and cameras offer exposure compensation (EV). Tap on your subject and slide down to reduce brightness before taking the shot.

4. Lock Exposure on the Subject

Tap and hold on your subject to lock focus and exposure. This prevents the camera from overexposing the background automatically.

5. Check the Histogram

Use your camera's histogram to monitor exposure. If the graph is stacked to the far right, your image is likely overexposed.

6. Avoid Shooting Directly Into the Sun

Try not to place bright light sources directly behind your subject. Change angles or use reflectors to balance the light.

AI-powered high-quality image background-removing easy

Instantly remove any background and generate custom backdrops with AI. Boost conversions effortlessly.

Get Started for Free

Conclusion

Overexposed backgrounds can ruin otherwise perfect shots—but they’re not impossible to fix. Whether you're using iPhone tools, Photoshop, or Lightroom, each platform offers effective methods for recovering details and enhancing contrast. By learning how to fix bright background in photo on iPhone, mastering how to fix overexposed photos in Photoshop, or using Lightroom to fix photos with bright backgrounds, you gain control over your photography like never before.