Conversation for the day. What are the tips and tricks for dodging? I'm quite comfortable with burn, but I seldom dodge. I probably avoid it because I tend to think it bleaches colors out too much. Are there tricks for using it successfully?
Do people typically dodge highlights or midtones?
Are there special blending modes used with dodge to give you better results?
As with burning, I find the trick is to use a very soft edged dodge brush at a low opacity. I set it to 3%. Trying to hasten the process by using heavier handed adjustments makes it obvious that such adjustments have been done. Since the changes with each click are very subtle, I often create a duplicate layer so I can turn off visibility on the working layer to see what difference I have made.
The best approach I've found, in Photoshop at least, is non-destructive and layer-based.
1) Create a new layer and set its blend mode to "Overlay."
2) To dodge or burn, paint white or black on the overlay layer, not on the image layer itself.
3) Follow Yo_Spiff's advice: Use a soft edged brush with very low opacity.
4) If you muck it up, delete the overlay layer, and start over with a new overlay layer - you haven't damaged you original image at all.
The best approach I've found, in Photoshop at least, is non-destructive and layer-based.
Excellent, I will try that!
One thing I do if I have larger areas that need lightening or darkening, is to make a dupe, adjust the lower layer with curves and then mask though the upper layer as needed. It's not actually using dodge/burn, but accomplishes the same thing for larger areas and with less work.
The best approach I've found, in Photoshop at least, is non-destructive and layer-based.
1) Create a new layer and set its blend mode to "Overlay."
2) To dodge or burn, paint white or black on the overlay layer, not on the image layer itself.
3) Follow Yo_Spiff's advice: Use a soft edged brush with very low opacity.
4) If you muck it up, delete the overlay layer, and start over with a new overlay layer - you haven't damaged you original image at all.
I like this method as well. I like the results I get using soft light as a blend mode rather than overlay, although they are pretty close.
Interesting. I've always done it on a duplicate layer. Non-destructive, and all I get is the dodge/burn. If you're adding an overlay layer you'd have to set the opacity for the entire layer to a very small value or your contrast will be out of whack, right? But maybe I've completely missed something.
Interesting. I've always done it on a duplicate layer. Non-destructive, and all I get is the dodge/burn. If you're adding an overlay layer you'd have to set the opacity for the entire layer to a very small value or your contrast will be out of whack, right? But maybe I've completely missed something.
No.
1. Layer>New
2. Mode = Overlay, Opacity = 100%, check box for "Fill with overlay neutral color (50% gray)"
3. Click "OK"
Now you have a layer that has zero effect on underlying. The blacker you make it, the more it darkens; and the whiter you make it, the more it lightens. You do this with the paintbrush or the airbrush, and build it up with low-density, feathered application, as suggested by Spiffmeister.
Interesting. I've always done it on a duplicate layer. Non-destructive, and all I get is the dodge/burn. If you're adding an overlay layer you'd have to set the opacity for the entire layer to a very small value or your contrast will be out of whack, right? But maybe I've completely missed something.
Not a duplicate layer, but a new *transparent* layer. Set blend mode to overlay or soft light and use a low opacity, soft-edged brush. You dont necessarily need to fill the layer with a neutral fill color.
Interesting. I've always done it on a duplicate layer. Non-destructive, and all I get is the dodge/burn. If you're adding an overlay layer you'd have to set the opacity for the entire layer to a very small value or your contrast will be out of whack, right? But maybe I've completely missed something.
Not a duplicate layer, but a new *transparent* layer. Set blend mode to overlay or soft light and use a low opacity, soft-edged brush. You dont necessarily need to fill the layer with a neutral fill color.
It's easier to see what you've done in the mask icon, on the layer palette, if you fill with neutral color.
R.
ETA: I tend to use soft light rather than overlay also. It seems gentler.
