Adjust Photo Contrast Online

Add punch to a dull photo or soften an image that is too harsh with a contrast slider, then export it.

The editor is designed for a computer or tablet: open this page on a larger screen to edit your image.

100% local processing, nothing is uploaded

How does it work?

Drop your photo: it opens in the editor with the contrast already boosted by +15. In the right-hand panel, under “Adjustments and filters”, set the Contrast slider from −100 to +100: to the right, dark areas get darker and light areas lighter; to the left, the image softens.

The adjustment is non-destructive: it stays editable until you export, and 0 restores the original photo. Combine it with brightness or saturation if needed, then click Export.

Examples

Adding punch to a dull landscape

With a contrast of +15, the distance from mid-gray (128) is multiplied by 1.32: a rock at 200 rises to 223 and a shadow at 60 drops to 38. The gap between the two grows from 140 to 185 levels.

Softening a portrait with harsh shadows

A portrait taken in full sun, with strong shadows: a contrast of −20 multiplies the distance from mid-gray by 0.64. A shadow at 40 comes back up to 72 and a cheek at 230 comes down to 193, for a softer look.

Frequently asked questions

Does the adjustment change my original file?
No. Your file is never modified: the editor works on a copy in memory, and you download a new file when you export.
Contrast or brightness: which should I adjust first?
Set the brightness first, so the subject is properly exposed, then the contrast, to control the punch. Too much contrast blocks up the shadows and blows out the highlights.
Can I undo my changes?
Yes: Ctrl/Cmd + Z undoes, Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + Z redoes, and the “History” tab lets you go back several steps (40 steps per document). A move, a brush stroke or a slider adjustment counts as a single step.
Are my images uploaded to a server?
No. Images are opened, edited and encoded in your browser, on your device. No image, file name or layer text is uploaded: you can even go offline once the page has loaded. Closing the tab erases your work in progress.