What setting would you adjust to increase an image's brightness?

To increase an image's brightness effectively, adjusting the Exposure or Brightness/Contrast settings is the most straightforward method. The Exposure setting allows you to brighten or darken an image by adjusting the amount of light captured, which can be particularly useful in correcting underexposed images. The Brightness/Contrast adjustments simultaneously allow for an increase in brightness while maintaining the contrast between the light and dark areas of the image, making it an intuitive choice for achieving the desired effect quickly.

Curves settings can also adjust brightness but require more nuanced manipulation of the tonal range and can be complex for quick adjustments. They offer a greater level of control but might not be as user-friendly for all users.

Hue/Saturation settings focus primarily on color adjustments and will not effectively alter the overall brightness of an image without adjusting specific colors.

Gradient Map settings are used for creating color effects and do not directly manipulate brightness in the way Exposure or Brightness/Contrast adjustments do. Therefore, the most effective approach, especially for general brightness adjustments, is through the Exposure or Brightness/Contrast settings.