This is an example of the technique of using varying exposure modifications to the original RAW and layering them and selectively erasing with a 50% opacity eraser (or less) and several passes at the dark shadowy areas. The +1 exposure is the bottom layer, the original on top. The third frame here shows where I erased (color is a bit different cuz it's a screenshot of PS).
Not a dramatic example, but a quick one and this is really an art of subtleties to produce a decent final image.
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