Curves instead of dodge and burn.

[Ncarp]

Curves instead of dodge and burn.


(didnt notice the little squiggle on the bottom right of her eye until now)

If your not familiar with PS or Gimp this might be a little hard to understand.

This is a little technique I use if I want to touch up any area in a portrait that is to dark or light that most would use
dodge and burn. Ive seen some posts that people use dodge to whiten teeth, but that just gives a real fake look or blown out
effect. This also works extremely well under eyes to cover up those dark spots.

First step.
Open up your image and create a curve's adjustment. Just right click in the middle and drag it to the top corner of the first
square.
(Just to lighten it up a bit.) Click on your mask and invert it. Name this layer "Dodge".



Step two.
Do the same thing but drag it down so it darken's the image. Invert and name "Burn".



Now you have your non-destructive dodge and burn layers select your brush set opacity anywhere from 5 to whatever you would
like.
The results are a lot better then using the standard D&B set provided for you. If need be I can work on a screenshot tutorial.

[wulf]

Go on, give us some pictures. I know exactly what you mean but I think less experienced photo-developers might find it helpful. I'd suggest a before shot, an after shot and one in the middle that shows darkened and lightened version side by side (no need to show the whole of each image - you could combine two shots and perhaps overlay the relevant curves).

And, for those who are feeling a bit clueless, I think this is a very useful tip - do ask questions and hopefully Ncarp or someone else can help you understand.

Wulf

[The LoKW]

I would very much like additional detail if possible - I am completely new to Photoshop and although I *think* I get the gist am not sure. Sounds as if this is a great approach.

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

[Krusty79]

I try to avoid using the Dodge/Burn tools that much, because it produces noise.

Wouldn't you want to create a duplicate layer before you apply the Curves tool?

[kcoppock]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

Wouldn't you want to create a duplicate layer before you apply the Curves tool?

That's the beauty of adjustment layers; there's no need to make a duplicate layer, you just use the layer masks of the adjustment layers to selectively show/hide the dodging or burning effect.

[Krusty79]

Okay, I reread the OP's post and I see "Now you have your non-destructive dodge and burn layers..."

I couldn't think of a way to do this without a layer mask, but the OP didn't mention it. I guess it was implied when he/she mentioned the brush opacity. I know in PSP, I can open a new Curves adjustment layer, adjust the Curve setting, then use a layer mask so I can "paint away" part of the layer mask with the paintbrush.

I always shoot RAW and usually bracket my shots, so I usually just make an exposure blend instead of using this technique.

[Ncarp]

This was my first tutorial so it's a little ehh terrible I know I just figured I would attempt to share. Probably should do videos, that would clear things up a bit more.

[wulf]

I think a few well chosen illustrations and words can be much better than a video for this type of tutorial. It allows you to take it all in with a glance and then mull over the points that interest or challenge you as long as you want. With a video, the viewer becomes more of a slave to the timeline and, although they can scrub backwards and forwards, the quality of individual images is likely to be poorer than still images.

Wulf

[The LoKW]

Thanks for the additional information... a couple of clarifying questions:
1. as you invert the layer(s) do you use white or black fill for the brush? I assume you would still use black but just want to ensure I am on point.
2. do you leave the layer blend mode on normal?

Much appreciated,

Kevin

[Ncarp]

Originally Posted by The LoKW

Thanks for the additional information... a couple of clarifying questions:
1. as you invert the layer(s) do you use white or black fill for the brush? I assume you would still use black but just want to ensure I am on point.
2. do you leave the layer blend mode on normal?

Much appreciated,

Kevin

After you invert the mask you would use the white to reveal the mask. If you revealed to much then you would switch to black to "erase it". Blending mode was left on normal.