INTRODUCTION
When using a flash for pictures in a large room, sometimes far away objects are underexposed.  The Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer can be used along with a gradient mask to even out the exposure.

OPEN A PICTURE
Open Photoshop Elements in the Full Edit mode.  Click File + Open (or hold the Ctrl key and tap the letter O key) > select a picture that is under exposed in one area > click Open (becomes Background on the Layers palette).

CREATE AN ADJUST LAYER
Select “Create adjustment layer” (black/white ball on top of Layers palette) + Brightness/ Contrast > click OK > hold the Alt key and click the Layer Mask thumbnail (right hand square on the adjustment layer).

ADD GRADIENT TO THE MASK
Select the Gradient Tool (or tap the G key) > on the top Adjustments Bar, click the Edit Gradient button and select  Black  and White + OK > select the Linear Gradient button > on the layer mask, hold the left mouse button and drag a line from one edge to the opposite edge.  For a test, repeat this from left to right, from right to left, from top to bottom, from bottom to top.  Finally repeat the direction which puts white on the same side that is under exposed on the picture.  Notice that black is at the start and white is at the end of the line that is drug across the mask.  It is possible to start and end anywhere on the mask to achieve any proportion of white to black.

ADJUST PICTURE BRIGHTNESS
Double click the Brightness/Contrast Layer thumbnail (on the Layers palette) > move the Brightness: slider to the right until the lighting is as even as possible > click OK.

CONCLUSION
This procedure allows adjusting the dark areas of a picture more than the light areas.  By applying a black and white gradient to the layer mask, the adjustments made to the picture apply under the white area of the mask and are blocked by the black parts of the mask.  If necessary, the gradient can be added at any angle on the mask by dragging the line in the proper angle and direction.  Bright spots can be toned down by selecting the mask and brushing black over the bright spot on the picture.  Use a low brush opacity for this operation.

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