The Highlight & Shadows feature helps improve image balance in scenes with uneven lighting. In this article, you will learn what this feature does, how to configure it on Reolink cameras, and recommended settings for different scenarios.

Applies to: Reolink cameras and NVRs that support the smart detection function.

What Does Highlight & Shadows Do?

The contrast of light and shadow is important for the proper balance of images. Highlight & Shadows (also called Brightness & Shadows in Reolink Client and Web browser) help balance bright and dark areas in the image, allowing you to optimize image quality under different lighting conditions.

  • Highlight/Brightness mainly affects the overall image exposure.
  • Shadows mainly affect details in darker areas.

The available settings are grouped into different image modes, each designed for specific environments and lighting conditions.

Mode When It Is Used
Color Day Mode Daytime or well-lit environments
Black & White Mode Infrared night vision mode
Color Night Mode Color night vision mode with spotlights or low-light color imaging

Note: The available modes vary depending on the camera model and its supported imaging features. Some cameras may support all three modes, while others may only support one or two. For the most accurate information, refer to the modes displayed in the software interface.

How to Set Up Highlight/Brightness & Shadows for Reolink Cameras?

Although the feature and mode names may differ across the App, Client, and NVR monitor, they all refer to the same function.

  • Via Reolink App

    Step 1. Log in to your Reolink camera on the Reolink App. Go to Camera Settings > Display.

    home page  Display

    Step 2. Tap Day and Night to Adjust Highlight/Shadow. You will see several modes under Highlight/Shadow. By default, all modes are set to Auto, allowing you to adjust them based on your preferences.

    Day & Night  Adjust Highlight/Shadow

    Step 3. If you want to customize the highlight and shadows of the image for different modes, tap Manual first. Then drag the sliders until you get the ideal effect of the highlight and shadows of the image.

    The picture below is an example of adjusting the highlights and shadows for the camera's image in Color Day Mode. You may adjust them in the other two modes likewise.
    Color Day Mode in auto  Color Day Mode in manual

  • Via Reolink Client

    Step 1. Launch Reolink Client and go to Device Settings > Display> Advanced page.
    Advanced client

    Step 2. You will see several modes under Brightness & Shadows. By default, all modes are set to Auto, allowing you to adjust them based on your preferences.
    color day mode client

    Step 3. If you want to customize the brightness and shadows of the image for different modes, click Manual first. Then drag the sliders until you get the ideal effect of the brightness and shadows of the image.

    The picture below is an example of adjusting the brightness and shadows for the camera's image in Color Day Mode. You may adjust them in the other two modes likewise.
    Color Day Mode

  • Via Reolink Web browser

    Step 1. Log in to your camera via a web browser. Go to Device Settings > Camera > Display >Advanced.
    Advanced web

    Step 2. You will see several modes under Brightness & Shadows. By default, all modes are set to Auto, allowing you to adjust them based on your preferences.
    Brightness & Shadows web

    Step 3. If you want to customize the brightness and shadows of the image for different modes, click Manual first. Then drag the sliders until you get the ideal effect of the brightness and shadows of the image.

    The picture below is an example of adjusting the brightness and shadows for the camera's image in Color Day Mode. You may adjust them in the other two modes likewise.
    Color Day Mode web

  • Via Reolink NVR (Monitor Connected)

    Step 1.  Connect a TV/monitor to the NVR via an HDMI/VGA cable.

    monitor

    Step 2. Set it up on the NVR monitor after adding the camera to NVR only. Click Settings > Camera >  Display > Image Settings.
    Image Settings nvr

    Step 3. You will see several modes under Highlights & Shadows. By default, all modes are set to Auto, allowing you to adjust them based on your preferences.
    Highlights & Shadows nvr

    Step 4. If you want to customize the highlights and shadows of the image for different modes, tap Manual first. Then drag the sliders until you get the ideal effect of the highlights and shadows of the image.

    The picture below is an example of adjusting the highlights and shadows for the camera's image in Color Mode. You may adjust them in the other modes likewise.
    Color Mode nvr

Recommended Adjustments for Common Scenarios

Before making adjustments, it is recommended to set Day and Night Mode to Auto.

When Day and Night Mode is set to Auto, the camera automatically switches between different imaging modes according to the ambient lighting conditions. You can adjust the Highlight/Brightness & Shadows settings based on current daytime or nighttime conditions.

  • Daytime Scenarios

    During the daytime, the camera typically operates in Color Day Mode. For the scenarios below, adjust the Highlight/Brightness and Shadows settings under Color Day Mode.

    Scenario 1: Strong Sunlight or Glare

    Symptoms: The image appears washed out in bright areas, and details may be lost due to strong sunlight or reflections from windows and other reflective surfaces.

    Recommended Adjustment:

    • Decrease Highlight/Brightness slightly.
    • Increase Shadows slightly if darker areas become too dark.

    Scenario 2: Backlit Entrances or Doorways

    Symptoms: People or objects may appear too dark when positioned in front of a bright background, making facial features and other important details difficult to identify.

    Recommended Adjustment:

    • Increase Shadows.
    • Increase Highlight/Brightness slightly if necessary.

  • Nighttime Scenarios

    At night, the camera may operate in either Color Night Mode or Black & White Mode, depending on the camera model, lighting conditions, and night vision settings.

    • If the live view is displayed in color, adjust the Highlight/Brightness and Shadows settings under Color Night Mode.
    • If the live view is displayed in black and white, adjust the Highlight/Brightness and Shadows settings under Black & White Mode.

    Scenario 3: Night Image Appears Too Dark

    Symptoms: The overall image appears darker than expected, making it difficult to distinguish details in shadowed areas or identify objects located farther from the camera.

    Recommended Adjustment

    • Increase Highlight/Brightness gradually.
    • Increase Shadows if dark areas still lack detail.

    Scenario 4: Night Lights Appear Too Harsh

    Symptoms: Street lights, spotlights, vehicle headlights, or other bright light sources appear excessively bright, creating glare or overexposed areas that obscure nearby details.

    Recommended Adjustment:

    • Decrease Highlight/Brightness slightly.
    • Increase Shadows only if darker areas become difficult to see.

  • Applicable to Both Day and Night

    Scenario 5: Image Looks Flat or Lacks Contrast

    Adjust the Highlight/Brightness and Shadows settings under the mode currently being used:

    • Color Day Mode for daytime images.
    • Color Night Mode for color night vision images.
    • Black & White Mode for infrared night vision images.

    Symptoms: The image appears dull or lacks depth, causing objects and scene details to blend together rather than stand out clearly.

    Recommended Adjustment:

    • Reduce Shadows slightly.
    • Fine-tune Highlight/Brightness to achieve the desired overall image brightness if the image becomes too dark.

Tips for Best Results

  • Make small adjustments and check the live view after each change.
  • If the image becomes worse after adjustment, switch back to Auto or click Default.
  • Lighting conditions may vary throughout the day. A setting that looks ideal at noon may not be suitable at sunset.
  • When in Auto mode, the camera will automatically set up the whole level of highlight/brightness and shadows for the image according to the light conditions. Therefore, for scenes with constantly changing lighting conditions, Auto mode is usually recommended.

Adjusting Highlight/Brightness & Shadows allows you to fine-tune image performance for different lighting conditions. It can help make dark areas easier to see, prevent bright areas from becoming overexposed, and improve overall image clarity during both daytime and nighttime monitoring.

Related Articles

How to Adjust the Brightness for Reolink Cameras

How to Configure Exposure and Backlight Settings

How to Configure Advanced Image Settings on Your Reolink Camera

How to Synchronize Brightness of the Two Lenses for Reolink Duo Series Cameras