(Of course, SONOPP photographers always expose their images perfectly.  Every once in a while, though, an image is just a little bit underexposed ... but always on purpose.)

In Photoshop, open an existing image and begin to record an action: name it "Brighten 1/2 Stop" and attach it to function key F3 (or whatever you like).

• From the Layers menu do "Duplicate Layer ..." and hit OK.  (Or just press Ctrl-J.)  From the Layers menu do "Layer Style, Blending Options..." and select "Screen" for the Blend Mode and "20%" for the Opacity.  Now flatten the image and stop the recording.

With this tool you can easily make adjustments with a single click.  On the left you can see the original, slightly dark image.  Three successive F3 clicks produce the results shown.  (So maybe it's a little less than 1/2 stop; I guessed at the 20% opacity figure.)

What are the advantages of using this little tool over, say, Curves or Levels?  Well, first of all it's much, much faster.  Second, because it's screen mode that does the brightening, the risk of blowing out a bridal gown is greatly reduced.  Try it -- you'll find that it quickly becomes one of your most-used tools!