Photoshop excels at image correction. Here are two fundamental techniques.

Adjusting the light

The Levels adjustment (Ctrl/Cmd + L) and Brightness/Contrast let you brighten or deepen a flat-looking photo. Apply them with restraint.

Removing a flaw

• The Spot Healing Brush — one click removes a blemish, a speck of dust or a stain.
• The Clone Stamp — copies a clean area (Alt/Option to pick the source) onto the area you want to repair.

Key point: retouch on a duplicated layer. You’ll be able to compare before and after, and correct without risk.