How to fill in the shadows in your photos!

Here is an easy hack to lighten up your photo without editing!

All you need is a light reflector! These things are super affordable and easy to find on Amazon. I have put the reflector on the right upper side of the book to bounch the lighting that comes from the left side to the book!

It instantly lights up the objecht and make the shadows less hard.

You could use this method for anything and any object!

#lemon8partner #photographytips #photographyhacks #photography #techfinds

2025/12/16 Edited to

... Read moreUsing a light reflector is a fantastic way to naturally brighten shadows in your photos, and it’s a trick that many photographers use to improve their images on a budget. As highlighted, placing a reflector on the opposite side of your light source bounces light back, reducing harsh shadows and brightening up your subject effectively. You can experiment with different reflector positions and angles to achieve the perfect light balance. Another creative tip from the OCR content suggests choosing objects where you can shine light through, such as a plant. Using a plant creates interesting shadow patterns with the leaves, adding artistic effects to your photos. This method not only fills shadows but also introduces unique textures and depth, making your shots stand out. It’s important to note that reflectors come in various colors—typically white, silver, and gold—which can create different lighting effects. A white reflector offers a soft, natural fill, while silver increases brightness with a cooler tone, and gold adds a warm glow. Selecting the right reflector can complement your subject and scene. Reflectors are inexpensive tools and widely available online, including marketplaces like Amazon. Whether you’re photographing books, food, portraits, or other objects, a reflector can dramatically enhance your image quality without the need for complex editing software. With these easy, affordable techniques, you can elevate your photography by controlling light and shadow creatively. Practice positioning your reflector in different locations relative to your main light source and subject to discover the most pleasing results. This hands-on approach will boost your photography skills and help you capture beautiful, well-lit photos every time.

Related posts

A split image showing a woman on a beach, comparing an unedited photo on the left with an edited blue hour photo on the right, with text overlay 'how i edit blue hour pics on my iphone'.
A woman on a beach with her back to the camera, facing the ocean under a cloudy sky, labeled 'before' to indicate the unedited blue hour photo.
A woman on a beach with her back to the camera, facing the ocean under a cloudy sky, labeled 'after' to indicate the edited blue hour photo.
how i edit blue hour photos
blue hour is the time after golden hour when there is still light, but the sun has gone down. This is a really beautiful time to take photos that a lot of people miss out on because they are so focused on golden hour! I’m sharing with you my favorite way to edit our photos to enhance the beauty of
elyse

elyse

3413 likes

HOW TO EDIT PHOTOS IN LIGHTROOM
These are the settings I used for this photo *specifically*. You may need to change the adjustments, slightly, to suit your own pics! #sunsetphotos #Lightroom #photoideas #editingideas #fyplemon8
Emelia Jones

Emelia Jones

8582 likes

A split image showing a young woman posing on a beach at sunset, comparing an unedited photo (left) to an edited version (right) with brighter colors and enhanced lighting. Text overlays read 'HOW I EDIT from this to this'.
HOW I EDIT PHOTOS TO LOOK DIGITAL
you don’t have to have a digital camera to get digital looking pictures p.s. USE FLASH #beachvibes #digitalcamera #howiedit #editingapps #lemon8challenge
Madi Graci🪩

Madi Graci🪩

7381 likes

A split image showing a concert photo before and after editing. The 'Before' side is hazier, while the 'After' side is darker and more contrasted, featuring a woman with curly hair and sunglasses dancing.
A concert photo of a woman with curly hair and sunglasses dancing, with text advising to shake the camera and use flash for the 'Before' effect.
A concert photo of a woman with curly hair and sunglasses dancing, displaying specific editing settings like exposure, contrast, and dehaze for the 'After' look.
How to Edit Concert Photos 🎸
Saw Tate McRae in concert and oh my gosh my camera roll is FULL of content. Our photos turned out pretty hazey, so here are some edits to bring them back to life. Also while giving a cool edgy vibe. Some tips: -For that blur effect, have your photographer shake the camera while using flash. Yo
Jenna

Jenna

1634 likes

A woman stands in front of a yellow shack with a rainbow flag, under the text overlay "how i edit shade photos on my iphone." The image introduces a photo editing tutorial.
The original, unedited photo of a woman standing in front of a yellow shack, labeled with a prominent "before" text overlay, showcasing the initial state of the image.
The edited photo of a woman standing in front of a yellow shack, labeled with a prominent "after" text overlay, demonstrating the result of the photo adjustments.
how i edit shade photos on my iphone
here is how I like to edit shady photos on my iPhone: exposure: +35 brilliance: +65 highlights: -30 shadows: +20 contrast: -25 brightness: +20 black point: -5 saturation: +25 vibrance: +20 warmth: +10 tint: +15 sharpness: +5 definition: +5 vignette: -10 #lemon8partner #lemon8p
elyse

elyse

1466 likes

A vibrant beach scene with a sunset sky and ocean, featuring text 'HERE'S HOW TO MAKE YOUR PHOTOS LOOK GOOD' and 'SWIPE'. Decorative elements include a daisy, stars, and a paw print, with 'lemon8' branding.
A split image showing a woman holding a lamb in a field, with a cherub-painted ceiling above. Text details 'Camera Roll' editing settings: Exposure -31, Highlights -10, Contrast -50, Brightness -27, Saturation +16, Warmth +31, Tint +34, Vignette -39.
A before-and-after comparison of a smiling woman's portrait, demonstrating a 'camera roll glowy filter'. Editing settings include Exposure +15, Brilliance +40, Highlights -60, Shadows -20, Brightness -25, Saturation +30, Sharpness +10, Noise Reduce +15.
Here’s how to make your photos look good
#gamergirl #lemon8challenge #lemon8 #lemon8winn #pictureideas #pinterest
૪ ࣪˖ 🌙 𓄴 Ellieᨒ

૪ ࣪˖ 🌙 𓄴 Ellieᨒ

316 likes

A young woman in a yellow dress stands on a wooden dock by the water under a blue sky. The image has text overlay "how i edit blue hour photos", indicating a tutorial for editing blue hour photography.
A young woman in a yellow dress stands on a wooden dock by the water, representing the original "before" state of a blue hour photo. The sky is a light blue with some clouds.
A young woman in a yellow dress stands on a wooden dock by the water, showing the "after" edited version of a blue hour photo. A green box lists the iPhone editing recipe used.
how i edit blue hour photos
blue hour is the time right after sunset, when the golden glow is gone, but there is still a beautiful hue in the sky. it can be difficult to edit this low light situation, but if you do it right it can be so beautiful! here’s my iphone edit for blue hour: exposure: -10 brilliance: +25 hig
elyse

elyse

1192 likes

A young woman in a green checkered bikini top and white shorts smiles on a boardwalk path through sand dunes. The image has a green text overlay that reads "how i edit on my iphone" with yellow doodles, indicating a photo editing tutorial.
A young woman in a green checkered bikini top and white shorts stands on a boardwalk path through sand dunes. The image has a green text overlay that reads "before," showing the original, unedited version of the photo.
A young woman in a green checkered bikini top and white shorts smiles on a boardwalk path through sand dunes. The image has a green text overlay that reads "after," showcasing the result of the photo editing.
how i edit bright beach photos
Beach photos are always fun to edit because of the bright blue skies and rich colors! My favorite way to edit beach photos is to enhance the natural beauty without making the photo look over edited. This is my favorite recipe for achieving that bright, natural look using your iPhone! exposure: +
elyse

elyse

610 likes

how adjusting shadows can change your photos
Here's why tweaking shadows can brighten and soften your photos: Illuminates Brilliance: By lifting shadows, you unveil hidden details and bring a radiant glow to your images. Softens Harshness: Blending shadows creates a gentle, dreamy atmosphere, perfect for a soft and inviting look.
elyse

elyse

40 likes

How I Edit Dreamy Photos in Lightroom 🌸🫧✨
#fypツ #photography #aesthetic #dream #Lightroom
𝐿𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓈𝑒𝓎 | Frogmush 🪷🫧

𝐿𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓈𝑒𝓎 | Frogmush 🪷🫧

3 likes

A young woman in a pink and blue bikini stands next to a surfboard on a beach with palm trees and buildings. The image has a title overlay: 'HOW I EDIT SHADY PHOTOS' with colorful decorations, serving as the post's cover.
A young woman in a pink and blue bikini stands next to a surfboard on a beach, with palm trees and buildings in the background. The image is labeled 'before', showing the original, unedited photo.
A young woman in a pink and blue bikini stands next to a surfboard on a beach, with palm trees and buildings in the background. The image is labeled 'after', showcasing the brighter, edited version of the photo.
how i edit shady photos
it can be really tricky to edit shady photos because of the way shadows are cast. here is my go to recipe for editing shady photos on my iphone to give them a brighter vibe! recipe: exposure: +25 brilliance: +20 highlights: -25 shadows: +35 contrast: -65 brightness: -10 black point: +10
elyse

elyse

10.6K likes

A young woman in a pink and blue bikini sits on a tree trunk over water. The image has a text overlay: 'how i edit bright & airy on my iphone', serving as the article's title image.
A young woman in a pink and blue bikini sits on a tree trunk over water. The image is labeled 'before', showing the original, unedited photograph.
A young woman in a pink and blue bikini sits on a tree trunk over water. The image is labeled 'after', showcasing the photo after applying the bright and airy edit.
how i edit bright and airy photos on my iphone
Capturing the essence of brightness and airiness in your photos has never been easier! With just your iPhone, you can bring your images to life with this simple edit recipe. exposure: +45 brilliance: -5 highlights: -35 shadows: +50 contrast: -30 brightness: -15 black point: -5 saturation:
elyse

elyse

2794 likes

How to achieve the soft aesthetic on your photos 🤍
This is how I achieve the soft aesthetic in my photos. Play around with soft tones and pastels, its makes your photos look dreamy. I like to lower the blacks and shadows for a more softer vibe. I reduce the texture, clarity, and dehaze it just a bit to give it that soft look. I always shoot and fil
mely

mely

90 likes

A laptop screen displays Adobe Lightroom with a snowy forest photo of a person, overlaid with text 'how i edit my photos (as a semi professional photographer)'.
A close-up of a computer screen showing the Adobe Lightroom (Lr) icon, with text stating it's an amazing editing app with a free phone version.
A close-up of Adobe Lightroom's 'Light' panel, showing specific slider settings for Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, and Blacks, with a note on subjective adjustments.
how i edit my photos (as a pro photographer) ✨📸🍋
if you have any questions feel free to ask in the comment section and i will try my best to answer them!! ✨📸 #editedphotos #edityourphotos #editingideas #improveyourphotography #edit photos #prophotographer #lemon8diarychallenge
kyli 🍋✨

kyli 🍋✨

124 likes

A young woman in a yellow sweatshirt sits in a green grassy field under a bright sky, with text overlays "HOW I EDIT SUMMER PHOTOS" and "lemon8 @elyseekb".
A young woman in a yellow sweatshirt sits in a green grassy field, with the word "before" overlaid, indicating the original, unedited photo.
A young woman in a yellow sweatshirt sits in a green grassy field, with the word "after" overlaid, showing the result of the photo edit.
how i edit summer photos
Capturing the essence of summer has never been easier with this "recipe" for editing iPhone photos! Just follow these steps to achieve that perfect summer vibe: - Exposure: +20 - Brilliance: -20 - Highlights: -60 - Shadows: -20 - Contrast: -25 - Brightness: -5 - Black point: +5
elyse

elyse

231 likes

Two friends hug in a grassy field with trees, overlaid with text 'how i edit bff photos' and colorful hearts, introducing a photo editing guide.
A 'before' image showing two friends hugging in a grassy outdoor setting, representing the unedited version of the photo.
An 'after' image showing two friends hugging in a grassy outdoor setting, representing the edited version with bright, happy colors and tones.
how i edit bff photos
i love taking photos with my friends & editing them to have bright, happy colors & tones! here is my go to recipe for editing bff photos on my iphone: exposure: +5 brilliance: +20 highlights: -30 shadows: -35 contrast: -10 brightness: -20 black point: -10 saturation: +5 vibrance:
elyse

elyse

367 likes

how I edit landscape photos
ever take a really amazing photo, only to realize that it didn’t capture the beauty of the landscape due to the coloration looking really dull? I took this photo on a cloudy, rainy day so before I edited it , it appears really gray and kind of ominous looking. After playing around with the settings
katie 🤍

katie 🤍

110 likes

How to Take Photos at Night
Don't be afraid of taking photos at night! I'm going to help you overcome your fear! Crank that ISO, open up your aperture wide, and fix it in post. That is all you need sometimes. Go out and shoot. Go on a walk where there's a lot of neons, billboard signs, street lights, etc
Airam · Chicago Eats + Photos

Airam · Chicago Eats + Photos

476 likes

A phone screen displays six app icons: Photos, Camera, Lightroom, Picsart, Canva, and Freeform. The text states these are "The Only Editing Apps that I use For my Lemon8 Photos *and I don't pay for any of them."
The Lightroom app logo is shown with text explaining its use for original photos to brighten, remove shadows, balance colors, and utilize presets for efficient editing.
The PicsArt app logo is displayed with text detailing its features for creative edits, including adding stickers, blending, special effects, and AI features, emphasizing that good use is possible without payment.
How to Edit Photos for Lemon8
These are the ONLY apps I use for editing my photos for Lemon8, and I dont pay for any of them! ✨Lightroom is an essential step 1 for photos. The base photo is so important before you can have creative edits. ✨PicsArt is my favorite for changing backgrounds, making glitter outfits, or super cr
Renn | Millennial Mama

Renn | Millennial Mama

221 likes

A person stands facing a waterfall, with text 'how i edit hiking pics on my iphone' and decorative flowers. The image introduces a photo editing tutorial.
A 'before' image shows a person from behind, looking up at a waterfall, illustrating the original state of a hiking photo.
An 'after' image shows the same person from behind, looking up at a waterfall, demonstrating the result of the iPhone photo edit.
how i edit summer hiking photos on my iphone
hiking photos can be tricky to edit because of all the lush greenery surrounding you. Sometimes it can make your skin tone look a little bit green, but I have the perfect recipe for a bright, natural looking edit that you can do all on your iPhone! Here’s the recipe: exposure: -5 brilliance
elyse

elyse

130 likes

How i edit photos using Canva 🎨
Editing with Canva is a game-changer for me. 🎨 From enhancing photos to creating stunning graphics, Canva's intuitive platform simplifies every step. With a plethora of filters, adjustments, and effects, I fine-tune images effortlessly. Plus, precise cropping and resizing tools ensure perfe
asmae🐸

asmae🐸

39 likes

A woman with curly hair, wearing a black off-the-shoulder top and patterned pants, poses against a concrete wall, holding a black handbag. The image is titled "HOW TO GET YOUR PHOTOS LIKE THIS!!" with black heart emojis.
Two women take a mirror selfie in a bathroom, illustrating the tip to "INVEST IN A GOOD CAMERA." One woman holds a camera, identified as a Canon G7X Mark ii, while the other smiles beside her.
A woman with curly hair, wearing a black off-the-shoulder top, sits at a round wooden table with a black handbag. This image illustrates the tip to "USE FLASH FOR BEST QUALITY" for crisp photos.
🖤How to Get Your Photos Like This!!🖤
#pictures 🎥 #ideasfornextphoto #ideasforphotos #photoshootideas #Lemon8Diary 1. Invest in a good camera * Find the camera that’s right for you & within your budget. There are lots of amazing, yet affordable options. I purchased mine (gently used) from Facebook marketplace for $
Emelia Jones

Emelia Jones

72 likes

A young woman in a cap and orange cardigan stands on a beach at sunset, looking towards the ocean. The image features the title 'How I edit my sunset/golden hour Photos' with sun, wave, and shell emojis.
How I edit my sunset/golden hourPhotos🌞🌊🐚
My fav way to edit my sunset photos!! Took forever after looking for so many ways! #edit #editing #sunset #sunsets #sunsetediting #sunsetedit #photoeditideas #photoedit #goldenhour #beach
˚₊✧ Elly ✧₊˚

˚₊✧ Elly ✧₊˚

214 likes

A split image showing a person in a car, comparing a 'From this' washed-out photo to a 'to this' glowing, sunkissed photo, demonstrating a photo editing transformation.
A 'Before' photo of a person in a car, described as washed out, harsh, and unflattering, with natural lighting and an 'AUTO' label.
A list of iOS photo editing adjustments, including negative values for Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Contrast, Brightness, and positive values for Vibrance and Warmth.
How I edit my photos🫶📸
Are your photos washed out? Do you feel too pale in your pictures? Me too!!😭💕I finally mastered how to go from a washed out TOTALLY unflattering photo to a GLOWING😍 sunkissed filter just by editing in ios!! #glowingskin #photoedit #sunkissed #selfie #Lemon8
Briley Brooklyn

Briley Brooklyn

8735 likes

How to brighten your outdoor photos on iPhone ☀️
Sometimes when you take photo it comes out looking dull even though it’s a sunny day! So you need to edit your photos to give it a little glow up. This entire glow-up was done using ONLY the iPhone photo editor no fancy photo editing apps, needed. Just scroll to your photo, hit “Edit,” and adjust
Osa 🤍 | Digital Planning

Osa 🤍 | Digital Planning

112 likes

A split image showing a desk setup before and after photo editing in Lightroom Mobile. The left side, marked with an 'X', shows the original darker photo, while the right side, marked with arrows, displays the brighter, more aesthetic edited version of the desk.
A desk setup image overlaid with text detailing Lightroom Mobile editing steps. It shows specific adjustments like adding linear gradients for exposure, brush masks for contrast, saturation, sharpness, clarity, and a base preset with exposure, contrast, highlights, whites, temperature, tint, and vibrance settings.
The final edited photo of a desk setup, featuring a monitor, laptop, keyboard, and accessories. The image is described as soft, creamy, brighter, lighter, warmer, rosy, and having vibrant colors, showcasing the successful application of the editing steps.
How I Edit My Photos in Lightroom Mobile 📸
No more dark, desaturated photos! WOO HOO! It's one thing to capture a great photo, but it's another to make the photo look aesthetic. This is where clever editing comes into play. Here are the steps I follow to ensure my desk photos look fab every time. STEP 1: Add the base pres
digitally.kate

digitally.kate

69 likes

A model in a black and beige shiny outfit poses against a dark background. The image has a text overlay that reads "QUICK EDITING HACKS" and includes the Lemon8 logo with the username @chriss.the.curator.
A model with blue hair in a shiny outfit lies on a reflective surface. The image asks "What Software?" and lists editing tools like Luminar Neo, Capture One, Photoshop, Evoto, and Aftershoot, with their primary functions.
A model in a shiny outfit is partially visible behind text discussing the use of retouching services and AI in photography. The text advises photographers to embrace AI technology, streamline workflows, and stay current with modern tools.
How to Edit your Photos Fast AF!!
NUMBER ONE: 👉🏼 Choose the Right AI Tool Adobe Lightroom: Offers AI-powered features like presets, subject masking, and auto adjustments. Luminar Neo: Great for one-click edits, sky replacement, and AI enhancements. Capture One: Advanced AI tools for skin tones and color grading. Photosh
CharissaMenken

CharissaMenken

17 likes

How to Edit Stunning Photos in Lightroom
Save this post for later! 📸✨ Learn how to achieve clean, low-exposure edits in Lightroom with this simple step-by-step guide. Take your photo editing to the next level and create polished, professional results. When you try it out, don’t forget to tag me in your edits—I’d love to see what you
Hextypayne

Hextypayne

22 likes

A woman in a pink dress stands on a balcony overlooking palm trees and a sky, with the title "How I edit my photos (on my iPhone)" overlaid.
A "Before" image showing a woman in a pink dress on a balcony with palm trees and a sky, representing the unedited photo.
An "After" image of a woman in a pink dress on a balcony, displaying the photo after editing with specific iPhone photo adjustment settings.
How I edit my photos(on my IPhone)
How I take my photos from dull and dark to vibrant and colorful #iphonephotoedit #instagram #photographytips #edits
lilly grace 🌸🩷🦩🩰

lilly grace 🌸🩷🦩🩰

11 likes

How I edit my photos 🫶
I use the photo editing app Lightroom Exposure: -0.83 Contrast: +7 Highlights: -55 Shadows: +33 Whites: +15 Blacks: -26 Vibrance: +18 Saturation: +13 #editingideas #edit photos #photoediting #photoedit #photoedits #Lightroom #lightroomedit #lightroomedits #preset
Effie Sfikas

Effie Sfikas

8 likes

How To Get Photos Like this
Brilliance = 30 Highlights = -4 Shadows = -4 Contrast = -5 Brightness = -4 Saturation = 11 Vibrance = 13 Warmth = 5 Sharpness = 4 Taking photos during sunset turn out so beautiful especially if you have a dedicated bestie that want your photos to turn out outstanding! Make sure to c
romanowsisters

romanowsisters

7 likes

editing product photos // before & after
I was shooting product photos for this client early in the morning, but by the time we got started the light was already getting harsh (gotta love winter...). I had to make sure to not have the highlights blown out since these images weren't supposed to be super artsy as they would be used in e
christina ◡̈

christina ◡̈

28 likes

How I edit my photos
This is how I edit my photo from bland and boring to bright and fun! #letschat #lemon8contest #edits #photo #flowers
Katie_vlogs

Katie_vlogs

3064 likes

How to have a photoshoot in your home 📸
Still have some editing to do but, I’m pretty happy with the way these turned out! You can’t even tell that I’m in the comfort of my own home (or maybe you can idk 🥹). So how did I do it? Equipment: • Canon rebel T7 • Canon connect app • Tripod • Reflector • One source of light - The set
Majesticmahalia

Majesticmahalia

13 likes

A woman stands on a city street corner with buildings and cars in the background. Text overlay reads "HOW I EDIT CITY PHOTOS on my iphone" with a pink flower icon.
A woman stands on a city street corner, with buildings and cars in the background. The word "BEFORE" is overlaid in pink, indicating the original state of the photo.
A woman stands on a city street corner, with buildings and cars in the background. The word "AFTER" is overlaid in pink, indicating the edited state of the photo.
how i edit city photos on my iphone
I want to share my favorite way to edit city photos on my iPhone. this edit allows for the perfect amount of warmth and saturation without looking overdone. it also keeps photos looking fresh and bright without overexposing. here's the recipe: exposure: +5 brilliance: +30 highlights:
elyse

elyse

100 likes

See more