Procedure to Darken or Lighten Areas within an Image
By Bruce Finocchio
(Dodging and Burning Tip For Photoshop)
- Open Image Within Photoshop
- Hold Down Alt Key while clicking on New Layer Icon in Layers Palette
- Within New Layer Dialog Box Select Soft Light or Overlay Mode
- Check the Fill With Overlay or Soft Light Neutral Color 50% Gray Box, this will create a new layer filled with 50% Gray in the Layers palette
- Set Foreground Color: Black to Darken, White to Lighten (To switch from black to white or back, click the little rotating arrow on the top left of the black and white color box in the tool palette)
- Select Brush Tool, and size and type depending on area to dodge and burn (Use keyboard shortcut: open “[” bracket to decrease brush size, and close bracket “]” to increase brush size)
- Change Brush Opacity to 10 to 20, the sets the strength effect; these are general settings and can use more or less if desired (The lower opacity setting the lesser the effect)
- Paint areas where change is needed, key is to be very subtle, don’t overdo
- Click on the Dodge and Burn (Gray Filled) Layer Eye Icon to Observe the Changes
Close up of Original image without any darkening or lightening adjustments.
Using the above procedure I lighten the iris of the eye and darkened the pupil for added contrast. I also lighten some of the face feathers around the eye. The effect is subtle but yet enhances the photo, making the eye dramatically stand out.
“After all, the eye is the light of life”.
(Original image After Post Processing)
What do you think?
- This Procedure I learned from Tim Grey many years ago….
Love the photo and the technique tips!
Thanks, Andrea! The image was taken at the eagle preserve just north of Haines, Alaska in November 2010… I was an assistant instructor on an Incredible Travel photo workshop, with my good friend Oliver Klink… You can see more eagle images at http://www.dreamcatcherimages.net. and if your interest in going yourself… Oliver has another trip planned this November; the details are at his web site http://www.incredibletravelphotos.com
great post. yeah, the world would be a hard place without dodge and burn! haha. thanks for sharing, a lot of newbies can learn a lot from u
Thanks for the compliment and for following my blog…Yes, even the great master Ansel Adams was a master at dodging and buring his prints…
Happy New Year Bruce!
NIce update on your website. Helpful tips. Thanks. See you soon. Barb M.
I am glad you are a friend…this blog should help many !
Bruce,
Great website, magnificent images, and good advice.
Bob