Using the Dodge tool and the Burn tool (Photoshop)

Used to lighten or darken areas of the image, the Dodge tool and the Burn tools are based on a traditional photographer's technique for regulating exposure on specific areas of a print. Photographers hold back light to lighten an area on the print (dodging) or increase the exposure to darken areas on a print (burning).

To use the Dodge tool or the Burn tool:

1. Select the Dodge tool or the Burn tool .
2. Choose a brush tip and set brush options in the options bar (see Working with brushes).
3. In the options bar, select one of the following:
• Midtones to change the middle range of grays
• Shadows to change the dark areas
• Highlights to change the light areas
4. Specify the exposure for the Dodge tool or the Burn tool. (See Specifying opacity, flow, strength, or exposure.)
5. (Photoshop) Click the airbrush button to use the brush as an airbrush. Alternately, select the Airbrush option in the Brushes palette. (See Creating airbrush effects (Photoshop).)
6. Drag over the part of the image you want to lighten or darken.