Create a Spotlight Effect in Photoshop Elements

Adobe’s Photoshop Elements 7′s Smart Brush uses the following method to create a spotlight effect in an image.  You can do the same thing in any version of Photoshop Elements

Create a Spotlight Effect in Photoshop Elements

• Select the area you would like to spotlight
• Add a Brightness/Contrast Adjustment Layer by clicking on the half-black half-white circle near the top of the Layers Palette.
• Double click on the Adjustment Layer thumbnail, which is the first box on your new layer, to open the Brightness/Contrast dialogue box.
• Adjust the Brightness Slider to +100.
• Hit Ok and adjust the layer’s opacity as needed.