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How to Lighten Dark Background Photo in Canva

Quick guide for fitness professionals and personal trainers on how to brighten dark background images in templates so your workout posts, client testimonials, and promo graphics stay clear and on brand.

Updated January 7, 2026
Luke D.
Luke D.

Owner at The Social Trainer & Fitness Social Media Expert

Many of our trainer templates use darker background photos to make text and design elements pop. If you’d prefer a lighter look for your workout posts or promotions, follow the steps below!

How to Adjust a Dark Background Image for Your Training Content

Step One: Select the background image, then click the Transparency icon (checkerboard icon) in the top-right toolbar.

Step Two:

Increase the transparency slightly to lighten the image until it complements your brand and keeps your text readable.

The current background color is black, but to create a lighter, more open feel, you can switch it to white, light gray, or one of your brand accent colors.

Step Three:

When lightening the background image, your text may become less visible. To fix this, adjust the font color, increase the font weight, or add a semi-transparent text box or shadow to help your workout details and calls-to-action stand out clearly.

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