How to Spot Clipped Highlights and Shadows in a Scan
By ImgHeal · Updated
Use the image and its histogram together to check whether a capture discarded tonal detail.
Find meaningful light and dark regions
Look at pale clothing, bright skies, dark coats, and shaded faces. A completely white or black patch may be real, but compare it with the print where possible. If the print contains visible detail that the file lacks, consider a fresh capture.
Read the histogram cautiously
A histogram shows the distribution of recorded tones. Accumulation at an endpoint can suggest clipping, but it does not identify which objects lost detail. Pair it with visual inspection and avoid forcing the graph away from the edges simply for appearance.
Check a new capture
Adjust capture settings conservatively and compare the same regions. Lower contrast may preserve information that can be shaped later. Brightening or darkening a flat clipped patch does not recover the original texture; keep that distinction clear when reviewing AI reconstruction.
Check before you finish
- Compare the file with visible print detail.
- Use the histogram alongside the actual image.
Continue with a related guide
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