Image brightener
Lift a dark photo with a curve that protects the highlights, and download the brighter copy. Runs in your browser with no upload.
Choose a photo, set the amount and press Brighten. The tool applies a curve that lifts shadows and midtones the most and eases off near white, so bright areas keep their detail. The new file has no metadata, and your original stays on your device.
How the curve works
Adding the same amount to every pixel washes out a photo, since bright pixels hit white and lose detail. A curve moves dark and middle tones further than bright ones, which keeps the picture’s shape.
Getting a natural result
Start around the default and watch skin and sky in the downloaded copy. Backlit photos, where the subject is dark against a bright window, usually benefit most. For the best result, save as PNG or at high quality so the lifted shadows do not show blocks.
Frequently asked questions
Can it recover a completely black area?
No. Pure black holds no detail to bring back. Very dark areas also show more noise when lifted, so a smaller amount often looks better.
What does Protect highlights do?
It reduces the effect on pixels close to white. Turn it off for a flatter, brighter look across the whole picture.
Is the change permanent?
It applies to the copy you download. Your original file is untouched.