Make moon brighter but still show darks

[Patrick Bell]

How do I make the brighter areas of the moon brighter and the dark "mares" blacker? I have messed around with levels black points and also blacke and white blend modes but haven't hit on being able to separate affecting the two elements. Can anyone give me some guidance?

[NotMyFault]

Hi, this is normally called “increasing contrast”.

Try the following options / alternatives:

• brightness & contrast adjustment 
• clarity filter
• curves adjustment. Add 2 nodes using color picker of curve tool, one for dark areas, one for light areas, and create S-shaped curve
• tone map persona. Reduce strength to 0, and increase local contrast slightly 

There are numerous tutorials on YouTube explaining the process, even a legacy tutorial exists  from James Ritson specially editing a supermoon.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/191612174

 

Edited November 13, 2021 by NotMyFault

[Patrick Bell]

Thanks. All very instructive. I actually wished to replace some spherical street lights with the moon and wanted some brightness but still recognisable as outlines of the moon. Tone mapping served as the best way to do this and, since I wasn't after a best image of the moon, just a bit of a gimmick this worked great. Many thanks.