1b Non-destructive Dodge/Burn & Sponge

PS Elements 11-15
Here is a non-destructive method to lighten areas on this photo
using the Dodge Tool. The beauty of this method is that you can
adjust the opacity down to reduce the effect.

The following process takes DO NOT use New

you from start to finish: Fill Layer > Solid
1. Open file Backlight-1b- Color.
Correction-Before-
Edit.jpg.
2. Add a new blank layer.
Do not use New Fill
Layer. From the Layer
menu, select New, the
select Layer.

or

Keyboard shortcut:
shift + ctrl + N

1
3. Click on Foreground color
in the Color Well:
4. Change foreground color
to
B:50 which stands for
50% brightness or enter
hex code #808080.
Click New Layer icon. Fill
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foreground color using
shortcut: Alt +
Backspace.
5. Change blend mode to
Overlay.
6. Use Dodge and Burn tool
on the Grey Fill Layer.
You can also use the
Paint Brush tool and
paint with white. White
makes the area brighter.
7. Add a new
Hue/Saturation layer
on top. How would you
de-saturate the
background?
Change blend mode to
Overlay
Dodge tool will lighten
area in the image.
The Overlay blend mode
multiplies dark areas and
screens light areas at the same
time, so dark areas become
darker and light areas become
lighter. Anything on the layer
that is 50% gray has no effect.
This mode has the effect of
boosting image contrast, which
is an easy way to improve
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contrast in badly faded aged
photo.
Tip: Use Overlay mode on a
Level Adjustment.
Dodge & Burn

To target only the Shadow areas, change the range to

Shadow. Set exposure to 10% or use shortcut 1 on
the keyboard.
Set the brush to about 250px. Use [ and ] bracket to
decrease or increase the size of the brush.

Notice that the grey area in the overlay layer

become lighter when you dodge. The light area will
brighten only those area of the image.
Practice using the burn tool in the sky and see what
happens.