Dodge and Burn using Layers

Most photographers, especially those specialising in portraits and weddings, will often finish off a print with a bit of edge darkening. The usual method for doing this is simply to use the Burn Tool set to Midtones and run a large brush around the outside edge of the image until it looks right.

This is a very effective technique, quick and easy. But there is a slight refinement that allows the dodging (and burning) to be infinitely editable and non-destructive on the image itself.

Here’s how…

1. Open an image. Choose one which might benefit from a little darkening around the edges. This vignetting effect is very effective with portraits and you will find wedding and portrait photographers do this a lot. It emphasises the face and holds the eye within the image.

2. Add a new blank layer using the New Layer icon in the Layers Palette, it’s the little icon second from the right, next to the trash symbol, at the bottom of the Layers Palette. Alternatively you could use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl–Shift-N. Name this Layer ‘Burn’ and click ‘OK’.

3. Next, make sure this new layer is highlighted in the Layers Palette by single clicking on it – it will show up highlighted. On the main menu select Edit / Fill (Shortcut is Shift-F5). Choose 50% Grey in the ‘Use’ drop-down list and click OK. This fills the new layer with a solid 50% Grey, you will see why in a moment.

4. On the same layer, named ‘Burn’, change the Blending Mode to ‘Overlay’, this is selected from the drop-down box to the left of the Opacity box at the top of the Layers Palette – Overlay is the eleventh option from the top. Your image will now fully reappear with no changes made, just an ‘invisible’ grey layer on top.

5. Now, instead of using the Dodge or Burn tools, select a suitable size brush (press B to select the Brush tool), set the Opacity to about 33% and set Black in the Colour Picker to paint on the Burn layer. Now you will see a burn effect as you paint. Alternatively, if you use White to paint you will see a dodge effect. If you are unhappy with the results you can refill with 50% Grey and start over.

Steps 1 to 4 above can easily be set up as an Action and assigned a Custom Keyboard Shortcut.

This method has one slight limitation since this technique is really meant for subtle last minute vignetting rather than huge tonal shift.. You can’t select Highlight, Midtone or Shadow to dodge or burn like you can with the normal tools. This means that there is a limit on how much you can burn a bright area or dodge a dark area. If you need to go this far you might like to make a selection and run a Levels or Curves Adjustment Layer over it.

Really Good Tip - If you use the Keyboard Shortcut (Ctrl-Shift-N), or use the Menu (Layers / New / Layer), rather than clicking the New Layer icon in the Layers Palette, you will get an New Layer options dialogue box where you can both name the layer and select the Blending Mode as Overlay, all in one step. Not only that, but if you select ‘Overlay’ as the blending mode, the greyed-out option at the bottom of the dialogue box becomes available with, guess what? The option to fill with an Overlay neutral colour ie 50% Grey! Another good reason to learn those Key commands!

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl-Shift-N Add layer with options.

Shift-F5 Fill Layer

B Select Brush Tool

[ or ] Enlarge or Reduce Brush size

D Set Foreground and Background to Default (Black and White)

X Swap Foreground and Background colours

Nick Rains 2006