Dodge and Burn safely

Hold down the OPT (Alt) key and select the New Layer icon on the Layers palette.

1. Enter a descriptive name for the new layer.
2. Select Mode: Overlay.
3. Tick the box marked: Fill with Overlay - neutral color (50% gray)
4. Select: OK.

Ensure that the new layer is selected. This is indicated by blue background on the layer.

Select the Brush tool. Shortcut: B.

Select the Brush palette.

1. Choose a Brush size. Size will depend on the target area.
2. Choose a Brush edge Start at 0% - a very soft edge to the brush.
3. Alternatively, choose a brush preset.

1. Set the Opacity: 20%
2. Set the Flow: 20 to 30%

Select the default colour palette icon. Shortcut: D.

To burn a portion of the image, ensure that Black is the foreground colour.

Move the Brush along the area you wish to darken. Repeat as often as is needed to darken the image.

To dodge a portion of the image, ensure that White is the foreground colour.
Use the Exchange icon to swop foreground colour for the background colour. Shortcut: X.

Move the Brush along the area you wish to lighten. Repeat as often as is needed to lighten the image.

Toggle the layer on and off to view the changes.