[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Step by Step: Brighten Unwanted Shadows in Your Photos here

[LarryPC]

I would use a mask on the top layer to "Hide all" and then use the white brush to expose the part to adjust. If you need to fine tune what is shown it is much easier for me to adjust the exposed area on a mask than to adjust erased areas.

[BruceFraser]

There are many quality photo editing programs. In this article, neither the title nor the subtitle tell which program this tutorial is about. Even the first slide doesn't give any clue. It's only when you get to the second slide that the reader realizes, "Oh, it's for that program."

[GeekyScientist]

BruceFraser, on 07 March 2012 - 05:54 AM, said:

There are many quality photo editing programs. In this article, neither the title nor the subtitle tell which program this tutorial is about. Even the first slide doesn't give any clue. It's only when you get to the second slide that the reader realizes, "Oh, it's for that program."

If you had read the captions to the frames you would have seen he said, "In Photoshop Elements..."

[GeekyScientist]

PCWorld, on 29 February 2012 - 06:01 PM, said:

Post your comments for Step by Step: Brighten Unwanted Shadows in Your Photos here

This is the standard way to lighten shadows using PSE but PSE also has a very hand method using Enhance/Adjust Lighting/Shadows and Highlights. There are two sliders that apply the necessary adjustments. Unfortunately, I have not found a way to do this non-destructively as can be done with masks and layers.
Masks are an essential part of editing but they are not easy to use as the methods of selecting the area either require much manual work or the use of imprecise automatic tools. This is particularly a nuisance if hair or fluffy feathers are involved.