Dodging and burning is likely one of the handiest methods to form mild and information the viewer’s eye in a picture. It could possibly carry out particulars within the highlights, deepen shadows, and create dimension in a flat picture. The instruments in Photoshop make it simple to use, however the way you go about it determines whether or not you’ve flexibility later or find yourself locked into adjustments you may’t undo.
Coming to you from Aaron Nace with Phlearn, this detailed video walks by way of each damaging and nondestructive approaches to dodging and burning. Nace first demonstrates the dodge and burn instruments constructed into Photoshop, which straight alter the pixels of your picture. They brighten or darken areas rapidly, however the draw back is permanence. When you apply them, the adjustments are baked into the layer. If you happen to determine hours later that the impact is simply too sturdy, you may’t regulate depth with out undoing your different edits. That lack of flexibility is why many keep away from counting on them.
The video then shifts into adjustment layers, the place Nace exhibits a technique that retains every part reversible. Utilizing brightness and distinction layers, you may masks and paint in your changes precisely the place you need them. Not like the damaging instruments, you may revisit the sliders at any time, whether or not it’s minutes later or years later. Grouping these changes with a masks tied to your topic creates much more precision, stopping unintended adjustments to the background. This sort of management is what makes nondestructive dodging and burning a staple for skilled modifying.
One other highly effective addition comes from utilizing Photoshop’s blend-if perform. This allows you to apply your dodge layers solely to the highlights and your burn layers solely to the shadows. The outcomes look extra pure as a result of they comply with the present tonal construction of the picture slightly than making use of brightness or darkness evenly throughout painted strokes. It’s a delicate trick that provides realism with out additional effort. Watching how Nace makes use of blend-if is well worth the time alone if you wish to refine your edits. Take a look at the video above for the total rundown.
