Exposure

Exposure shapes brightness and tonal range. It separates luminance contrast from chroma contrast so tonal punch and color separation can be controlled independently.

Controls

• Exposure shifts overall brightness in stops.
• Luminance changes light-dark contrast while protecting color intensity.
• Chroma increases or decreases contrast among color channels.
• Highlights adjusts bright tonal regions.
• Shadows adjusts dark tonal regions.
• Whites sets the upper tonal endpoint and brightest range.
• Blacks sets the lower tonal endpoint and deepest range.

Start with Exposure, then recover Highlights or open Shadows. Use Whites and Blacks to establish endpoints. Add Luminance for shape; use Chroma cautiously when color feels flat or over-separated.