Add contrast to a photo

You can add contrast to an image in two ways, depending on the problem.

If the image needs overall contrast because it doesn’t use the full tonal range, click the Levels icon  in the Adjustments panel. Then drag the Shadow and Highlight input sliders inward until they touch the ends of the histogram.

image layer don’t extend to the ends of the graph, indicating that the image is not using the full tonal range.

A.

Shadow Input slider

B.

Highlight Input slider

If the image uses the full tonal range, but needs midtone contrast, Click the Curves icon  in the Adjustments panel. Drag the curve into an S shape.

Increasing the slope in the middle of the curve increases contrast in the midtones.