Enhancing portraits in the Photos app on Windows 11 has become a breeze, thanks to the innovative Relight feature. This tool leverages AI-powered lighting controls that can transform poorly lit images by adding and fine-tuning up to three light sources, adjusting color, brightness, and intensity with ease. Whether you want a soft diffusion or striking highlights, this guide will walk you through utilizing Relight to enhance your images effectively.
Understanding Relight and Its Capabilities
The Relight feature in the Photos app, designed specifically for Windows 11 users, allows you to enhance underexposed portraits by creatively manipulating lighting effects. You can apply popular presets such as Golden Hour for a natural glow or Cyberpunk for a vibrant, neon atmosphere, making it accessible even to those without advanced photo editing skills. Rather than juggling complex software and numerous steps, Relight simplifies this process with user-friendly controls.
How to Use Relight for Image Enhancement
Follow these detailed steps to adjust the lighting in your photos effectively:
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Launch the Photos app on your Windows 11 device.
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Select the image you wish to edit and click the Edit button.
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Navigate to the Relight feature by clicking the relevant button in the toolbar.
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Activate the Light Location toggle to set your light sources.
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(Option 1) Select from one of the six available presets: Softbox, Classic Portrait, Dramatic, Golden Hour, or Cyberpunk.
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(Option 2) Enable light source number one.
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Adjust the brightness, softness, and color settings for this light source as desired.
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Enable light source number two.
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Repeat the adjustments for brightness, softness, and color.
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Enable light source number three.
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Fine-tune the brightness, softness, and color for this light source as well.
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Activate the Ambient toggle to manage the overall brightness and color of the ambient lighting.
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Utilize the “Intensity” slider to set the desired lighting intensity.
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Finally, click on Save Options, then select “Save as copy” to preserve the original image while saving your edited version.
Upon completing these steps, your image will exhibit enhanced lighting configurations that sharpen the subject’s visibility and enrich color depth. This powerful tool allows for both correction of inadequate lighting and the addition of stylish creative effects, ensuring your images shine.
Availability and Future Updates
The Relight feature is currently available for the Photos app on specific Copilot+ PCs equipped with Snapdragon processors, with plans for broader rollout to devices utilizing AMD and Intel processors soon. At the moment, this feature is accessible as a preview in the Windows Insider Program, so verify that your device meets the requirements.
Check the version number in your setup; ensure it is 2025.11060.5006.0 or higher for optimal use. Also, keep in mind that Microsoft has enriched the Photos app with additional capabilities such as natural language search and various AI-powered features including “Restyle, ” “Super Resolution, ” and “Erase, ” further enhancing your image editing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of light sources can I add using the Relight feature?
You can add up to three light sources and customize their brightness, softness, and color to achieve the desired effect in your images.
2. Can I use Relight on devices that are not Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs?
Currently, Relight is only available on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon processors, but plans are in place to extend this feature to AMD and Intel devices in the future.
3. Are there any presets available for quick lighting adjustments?
Yes, the Relight feature offers several presets like Softbox, Golden Hour, and Cyberpunk, making it easy to apply dramatic lighting effects with just a click.
Discover more about the Relight feature and see visual examples.
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