Explore the advanced techniques of photo retouching using the Dodge and Burn tools in Photoshop. Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to refine blemishes while maintaining the original texture of the image.
Key Insights
- The Dodge and Burn tools can be used for effective photo retouching, maintaining the original texture of the image.
- The Photoshop tutorial covers topics like Dodge & Burn tools, Channels, and how to touch up blemishes.
- To control the effect and prevent overdoing the alterations, it's recommended to set a very low Exposure for both the Dodge and Burn tools.
- The Channels panel can be used to identify and correct color casts in different parts of the image.
- Dodging lightens the Green channel, making it more green and less magenta, while burning darkens the Green channel, resulting in less green and more magenta.
- After the adjustments, it's critical to save the file for future reference and further editing.
This exercise is excerpted from Noble Desktop’s past Photoshop training materials and is compatible with Photoshop updates through 2020. To learn current skills in Photoshop, check out our Photoshop Bootcamp and graphic design classes in NYC and live online.
Photoshop Essentials
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Layers & Masks
Non-destructive editing with layer masks and adjustment layers.
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Selections
Quick Select, lasso, pen, and Select Subject for precise isolation.
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Color & Tone
Curves, Levels, and Hue/Saturation for pro-quality color work.
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Smart Objects
Resize and transform without losing image quality.
Topics Covered in This Photoshop Tutorial:
The Dodge & Burn Tools, Channels
Exercise Preview
Exercise Overview
Instead of using the Clone Stamp or Healing Brush to fix certain blemishes, you can also use the Dodge and Burn
tools. This is a very effective retouching technique and, while difficult to do, it’s the best way to keep the original texture. Let’s see how to use this technique when cleaning up her forehead.
Dodging & Burning to Touch up Blemishes
If it’s not already open, go into the Photoshop Adv Class folder and open yourname-model.psd.
Select the Dodge tool
.
In the Options bar at the top of the screen, set a very low Exposure. An Exposure of 2 or 3% should be good. That way you will have a lot of control and won’t do too much too quickly.
Open the Channels panel (Window > Channels).
If you find that there is a color cast somewhere in the image such as the red spot on the right side of her forehead, click through each of your channels to see where it is. It will appear darker or lighter, like the dark spot on the Green channel.
When you have looked at all the channels, click on the Green channel so it is selected.
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As shown below, click the Eye
next to the composite RGB channel.
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You can now do your dodging or burning while seeing the result. Remember to set a low Exposure for the Burn tool
before using it. Keep the following in mind:
- Dodging lightens the Green channel, making it more green/less magenta.
- Burning darkens the Green channel, making it less green/more magenta.
Be sure to save the file and leave it open because you’ll continue to work with it in the next exercise.
