PhotoshopElements

Quickly lighten or darken isolated areas

The Dodge tool and the Burn tool lighten or darken areas of the image. You can use the Dodge tool to bring out details in shadows and the Burn tool to bring out details in highlights.

Original image (left), after using the Burn tool (top center), and after using the Dodge tool (bottom right)

  1. Select the Dodge tool  or the Burn tool . If you do not see these tools, look for the Sponge tool .
  2. Set tool options in the options bar:
    Brushes pop‑up menu
    Sets the brush tip. Click the arrow next to the brush sample, choose a brush category from the Brushes pop‑up menu, and then select a brush thumbnail.

    Size
    Sets the size of the brush, in pixels. Drag the Size slider or enter a size in the text box.

    Range
    Sets the image tonal range that the tool adjusts. Select Midtones to change the middle range of grays, Shadows to change the dark areas, and Highlights to change the light areas.

    Exposure
    Sets the effect of the tool with each stroke. A higher percentage increases the effect.
    To dodge or burn an area gradually, set the tool to a low exposure value and drag several times over the area you want to correct.

  3. Drag over the part of the image you want to modify.