Apply local adjustments with the Graduated Filter tool

Select the Graduated Filter tool from the toolbar (or press G).
Camera Raw opens the Graduated Filter tool options under the Histogram and sets the mask mode to New.
Choose the type of adjustment you want to make in the Graduated Filter tool options by dragging the slider for any of the following effects:
Exposure

Sets the overall image brightness, with a greater effect in the high values. Drag the slider to the right to increase the exposure; drag the slider to the left to decrease the exposure.
Brightness

Adjusts the image brightness, with a greater effect in the midtones. Drag the slider to the right to increase the brightness; drag the slider to the left to decrease the brightness.
Contrast

Adjusts the image contrast, with a greater effect in the midtones. Drag the slider to the right to increase the contrast; drag the slider to the left to decrease the contrast.
Saturation

Changes the vividness or purity of the color. Drag the slider to the right to increase the saturation; drag the slider to the left to decrease the saturation.
Clarity

Adds depth to an image by increasing local contrast. Drag the slider to the right to increase the contrast; drag the slider to the left to decrease the contrast.
Sharpness

Enhances edge definition to bring out details. Drag the slider to the right to sharpen details; drag the slider to the left to blur details.
Color

Applies a tint to the selected area. Select the hue by clicking the color sample box to the right of the effect name.

Click the Plus icon (+) or the Minus icon (-) to increase or decrease the effect by a preset amount. Double-click the slider to reset the effect to zero.
Drag in the photo to apply a graduated filter across a region of the photo.
The green dot represents the start point at the beginning edge of the filter. The red dot represents the center of the ending edge of the filter. The black-and-white dotted line connecting the points represents the midline. The green-and-white and red-and-white dotted lines represent the beginning and end of the range of the effect.

The mask mode switches to Edit in the Graduated Filter tool options.
(Optional) Refine the filter by doing any of the following:
- Drag any of the effect sliders in the Graduated Filter tool options to customize the filter.
- Toggle visibility of the guide overlays by selecting the Show Overlay option (or press V).
- Drag the green or red dot to move the filter start or end point.
- Drag the black-and-white dotted line to move the midline of the filter.
- Position the pointer over the green-and-white or red-and-white dotted line, near the green or red dot, until a double-pointing arrow appears. Then, drag toward the edge of the photo to expand the range of the filter effect at that end of the spectrum. Drag toward the center of the photo to contract the range of the filter effect at that end of the spectrum.
- Position the pointer over the green-and-white or red-and-white dotted line, away from the green or red dot, until a curved double-pointing arrow appears. Then, drag to rotate the effect.
- Remove the filter by pressing Delete.
- Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac OS) to undo your last adjustment.
- Click Clear All at the bottom of the tool options to remove all Graduated Filter tool effects and set the mask mode to New.
(Optional) Click New to apply an additional Graduated Filter tool effect, and refine it as desired using the techniques in step 4.
Note: When working with multiple Graduated Filter effects, make sure you’re in Add mode to switch between them. Click an overlay to select that effect and refine it.