Computer Graphics with Photoshop - Applying Dodge & Burn on an Adjustment Layer -- How?

Author

Applying Dodge & Burn on an Adjustment Layer -- How?

Ken Hall

2005-12-23, 6:14 pm

It seems like this should be inanely simple, but I can't figure it
out. How do I apply the dodge and burn tools on an adjustment layer
so if I want to remove it later I can?

Ken

Trace Elliot

2005-12-23, 6:14 pm

Ken Hall wrote:
> It seems like this should be inanely simple, but I can't figure it
> out. How do I apply the dodge and burn tools on an adjustment layer
> so if I want to remove it later I can?
>
> Ken

You can't Ken.

But you could use adjustment layers to get the (sort of the same)
effect. Just use the mask (which is there by default) on the adjustment
layer to show the effect in the places you want.

Bill Hilton

2005-12-23, 6:14 pm

> Ken Hall wrote:
>
> It seems like this should be inanely simple, but I can't figure it
> out. How do I apply the dodge and burn tools on an adjustment
> layer so if I want to remove it later I can?

One way that allows you to "remove it later" if you wish is to do Layer
- New - Layer and in the dialog box for Mode select 'soft light' which
will open up another choice, 'fill with soft-light-neutral color' which
you should also select. This does nothing to the image until you paint
on the soft light layer ... paint with black darkens (burns in), paint
with white lightens it ... use a low opacity brush, say 5-15%, with
'airbrush' turned on. If you want to work on different areas just make
a new soft light layer for each area so if you screw up one place you
don't have to toss away your earlier edits.

Bill

Ken Hall

2005-12-23, 6:14 pm

On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 18:33:07 +0100, Trace Elliot <trace@elliot.com>
wrote:

>Ken Hall wrote:
>
>You can't Ken.
>
>But you could use adjustment layers to get the (sort of the same)
>effect. Just use the mask (which is there by default) on the adjustment
>layer to show the effect in the places you want.

So I wasn't dim. Thanks

Ken

Ken Hall

2005-12-24, 6:14 pm

On 23 Dec 2005 09:43:49 -0800, "Bill Hilton" <bhilton665@aol.com>
wrote:

>
>One way that allows you to "remove it later" if you wish is to do Layer
>- New - Layer and in the dialog box for Mode select 'soft light' which
>will open up another choice, 'fill with soft-light-neutral color' which
>you should also select. This does nothing to the image until you paint
>on the soft light layer ... paint with black darkens (burns in), paint
>with white lightens it ... use a low opacity brush, say 5-15%, with
>'airbrush' turned on. If you want to work on different areas just make
>a new soft light layer for each area so if you screw up one place you
>don't have to toss away your earlier edits.

Thanks. I'll try this. After reading your reply I roamed around the
net and found that some people suggest using Overlay instead of Soft
Light.

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phot...-photoshop.html
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2478

Do you know the pros and cons of these two methods?

Ken

Ken Hall

2005-12-24, 6:14 pm

Sorry, the first link was wrong. My message should have read:

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 14:15:54 -0600, Ken Hall
<kenhall2REMOVE@houston.rr.com> wrote:

>Thanks. I'll try this. After reading your reply I roamed around the
>net and found that some people suggest using Overlay instead of Soft
>Light.
>
>http://www.bairarteditions.com/page...op/exdandb.html
>http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2478
>
>Do you know the pros and cons of these two methods?
>
>Ken

Ken

Bill Hilton

2005-12-24, 6:14 pm

> Ken Hall wrote ...
>
>Do you know the pros and cons of these two methods?
> (ie, Overlay mode vs Soft-light with neutral gray fill)

Both are better than Dodge or Burn, I think ... a lot more flexible for
a little more work, a trade-off I don't mind making ... looks like
either one will do the job ...

I learned the Soft-light method many years ago with Photoshop 4 via the
book "Photoshop Artistry" by Haynes etc and since I'm used to that
method I didn't spend much time with Overlay, but it looks like it is
similar ... in the first site you link to he primarily discusses
Overlay and at the bottom of the page he says "Update 7/04/2005 - As an
alternative to the Overlay blending mode, you may want to try "Soft
Light" mode for even more subtle effects." ... so apparently he's tried
both and feels 'soft light' is more subtle for some reason ...

BTW I used to do this quite a bit for burning in shadow detail with
versions 4 - 7 but in the CS upgrade Photoshop introduced
'shadow/highlight' and now I rarely use the older method since the
shadow/highlight tool at proper settings does a really nice job, I
feel.

Bill

Ken Hall

2005-12-25, 6:14 pm

On 24 Dec 2005 15:00:49 -0800, "Bill Hilton" <bhilton665@aol.com>
wrote:

>BTW I used to do this quite a bit for burning in shadow detail with
>versions 4 - 7 but in the CS upgrade Photoshop introduced
>'shadow/highlight' and now I rarely use the older method since the
>shadow/highlight tool at proper settings does a really nice job, I
>feel.

Doesn't Shadows/Highlights have the same problem as Dodge/Burn, in
that it can't be done on an adjustment layer?

I played around with Shadows/Highlights when it first came out, but I
wasn't able to control it. I just went back and played with it again
to remind me of the problems I had.

Often I'm unable to lighten dark areas without affecting light areas.
Even if I push the "Tonal Width" to zero.

Also, it seems like these adjustment must be made before some or most
adjustment layers are created or the effects are unpredictable, and
until some other adjustments are made you don't know how much to push
this tool. In an image I just tried to use it on it made the cloned
spots jump into prominence.

These problems may well be something I'm doing wrong because of lack
of experience, but they are the reasons I don't use this feature.

Ken

KatWoman

2005-12-27, 6:19 pm

"Ken Hall" <kenhall2REMOVE@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:ejctq15e0hpqvp7v0sufsuc9n9km39u0o9@4ax.com...
> On 24 Dec 2005 15:00:49 -0800, "Bill Hilton" <bhilton665@aol.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> Doesn't Shadows/Highlights have the same problem as Dodge/Burn, in
> that it can't be done on an adjustment layer?
>
> I played around with Shadows/Highlights when it first came out, but I
> wasn't able to control it. I just went back and played with it again
> to remind me of the problems I had.
>
> Often I'm unable to lighten dark areas without affecting light areas.
> Even if I push the "Tonal Width" to zero.
>
> Also, it seems like these adjustment must be made before some or most
> adjustment layers are created or the effects are unpredictable, and
> until some other adjustments are made you don't know how much to push
> this tool. In an image I just tried to use it on it made the cloned
> spots jump into prominence.
>
> These problems may well be something I'm doing wrong because of lack
> of experience, but they are the reasons I don't use this feature.
>
> Ken

why not just use a duplicate layer or a copy of the original??
I always leave an unretouched original layer on the background level, just
for reference or to get back from any errors I may make to the layer above
it.
I have used the shadow/highlight tool with successful results.
If I want to dodge/burn I do it on a dupe layer or copy
I did not know of the overlay or soft light method, sounds cool
If you don't like how a particular area looks after you adjust it USE the
mask to "paint out" what you don't like.
Or just use the tools on selected areas. Often you need to fix small areas
of a picture not the entire frame.