How to Edit Glare Out of Pictures

Glare also reveals images behind the cameraman, in addition to foreground.

Glare happens when the flash from the camera hits a reflective and shiny surface. Mirrors, windows, and automobiles -- basically any glass and metal -- are present just about everywhere photographers take snapshots. Even in a natural environment, a pond or lake can produce glare in pictures. Light is a fundamental element in an image, but too little or too much can detract from the quality of the photo. If you have Windows, you can use a native photo-editing application to fix just the lighting elements in pictures with glaring imperfections.

Instructions

1. Click the "Windows" orb logo in the bottom-left corner of the desktop. Type "Photo Gallery" in the search box at the bottom of the "Start" menu. Press "Enter" to open the "Windows Live Photo Gallery" application.

2. Click on "All Photos and Videos" in the left pane. Select "Pictures." Double-click on the photo that needs editing, when it appears in the center pane.

3. Click the "Fine Tune" button in the "Adjustments" section, on the "Edit" tab.

4. Select "Adjust Exposure" in the right pane. Pull the sliders in the "Shadows" and "Highlights" categories to adjust the photo until glare has been reduced to a likable level.

5. Click "Close File" in the top right corner of Windows Live Photo Gallery to automatically save the edits.

Tips & Warnings

• The most recent version of Windows Live Photo Gallery is the "2011," as of April 2011.

References

• Windows Live: Photo Gallery Help Center -- Edit Photos
• Windows Live Community; Fix in Photo Gallery; by Seika; Nov. 27, 2009

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Microsoft: Windows 7: Features -- Windows Live Photo Gallery
• Adobe: Photoshop Elements 9: Features: Edit Photos