{"id":3915,"date":"2016-07-12T20:34:22","date_gmt":"2016-07-12T20:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/?p=3915"},"modified":"2016-10-13T16:50:48","modified_gmt":"2016-10-13T16:50:48","slug":"photoshop-dodging-and-burning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/photoshop-dodging-and-burning\/","title":{"rendered":"Photoshop: Dodging and Burning"},"content":{"rendered":"

I do not use the Dodging and Burning tools in Photoshop’s Tools Panel<\/em>: I find them cumbersome, hard to use, ineffective and a bit destructive. Instead, I use a non-destructive technique, outlined below, that gives you a lot more control and more realistic looking results. This is not an Adjustment Layer<\/em>; it’s a brand new Layer<\/em> all by itself that you’ll “paint on” with your Brush Tool. This method requires a few more steps to use than the standard tools, but the results are worth it!
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<\/em>Purpose<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/strong> The purpose of Dodging and Burning is to creatively lighten areas that are too dark (Dodge), and to darken areas that are too light (Burn).<\/p>\n

How It Works<\/p>\n

Step 1<\/p>\n

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© 2011 John Watts. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n

While holding down the “Option”<\/em> (Mac) or “Alt” (Windows) Key, press the “Create a New Layer” button. This brings up the New Layer Dialog Box<\/strong>, and a new layer shows up in the Layers Panel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Step 2<\/p>\n

Change the Blending Mode to “Overlay”<\/em>, and check the box that says, “Fill with Overlay-neutral color (50% gray)”<\/em>. Press the “OK”<\/em> button.<\/p>\n

Step 3<\/p>\n

Using the Color Picker<\/strong> (see last month’s column<\/a>), change your foreground color<\/em> in the Tools Panel<\/strong>to a light gray<\/em>, such as RGB values of “160\/160\/160”, and the background color to a dark gray<\/em>, such as RGB values of “95\/95\/95”.<\/p>\n

Step 4<\/p>\n

With the newly created Layer active, and using the Brush Tool, “paint” on your image, varying the size and hardness as needed:<\/p>\n

~ Use the light grey color<\/strong> as your foreground color to lighten an area<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

~ Use the dark grey color<\/strong> as your foreground color to darken an area<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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© 2011 John Watts. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n

EXAMPLE:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. In Image “A”<\/strong>, to the right, the foreground in the bottom right corner is a bit light, and so is the top of the stump, as well as the vegetation in between. In addition, the upper left corner is a bit dark, and details in the shadow areas are lost.<\/p>\n

2. To correct for this, steps 1 through 4 above are followed, resulting in Image B<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3. Image C<\/strong> shows the newly created layer. Notice that the areas that are darkened show up as a dark gray color, and the areas that are lightened show up as a light gray color.<\/em> This helps you follow the areas that you are dodging and burning.<\/p>\n

Pointers for Fine Tuning<\/strong><\/p>\n