X-ray absorption fine structure has been exploited as a tool tostudy local lattice distortions in the perovskite cuperates and manganites, showing novel phenomena as high temperature superconductivity and colossal magneto-resistance. Temperature dependent Cu K-edge and Mn K-edge EXAFS have been used to investigate the local lattice distortions associated with the doped charge at metallic densities in these materials. Temperature dependent correlated Debye-Waller factors of the Cu-O in the cuprates shows an upturn at the stripe formation temperature Tso. Capabilities of the EXAFS technique have been further demonstrated for the case of the manganites, revealing key information on their metal-insulator transition. The EXAFS has been shown to be capable of providing quantitative local distortions that are closely associated with the characteristic properties of these complex materials.