Dodging, burning, etc. How do I make this all work?

Hey, I'm relatively new to the whole process of post production. I've take a few basic courses on how to use Photoshop and stuff, but I can't figure out how to use photoshop for glamor photos. I've heard a lot of people mention dodging and burning. I've used dodging a little in the past, but not sure as to how to use them together.

This is kind of what I'm talking about https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=5273​06&page=34 in the first post.

I'm interesting in learning just about anything. Any tips? I'd appreciate any links or advice! Thanks!

Buy a tablet, download the movie from this deviant and be amazed at what you can accomplish! My PP has changed dramatically since!

http://nienna1990.devi​antart.com/

PS - Thank you Natalie (Nienna1990)!!!!

rammy wrote in post #8750313
Buy a tablet, download the movie from this deviant and be amazed at what you can accomplish! My PP has changed dramatically since!

http://nienna1990.devi​antart.com/

PS - Thank you Natalie (Nienna1990)!!!!

Do you recommend any kind of tablet in particular?

Dodging is "lightening" the area that you want to make brighter, and burning is "darkening" the area that you want to go well....darker.

The way I do it is to get a soft edged brush (I feel that Adobe's D&B Tool is a little bit too much of a blunt object), create a new layer ontop of your image, and change the blend mode to soft light. Change your brush to about 10% opacity (you can increase/decrease this for more/less effect) and use paint where you want to dodge/burn - black for burning, white for dodging. It's very easy to control if you have a wacom tablet, and it also allows you to build density a lot more easily.

I did this particular image with some dodge/burning using soft light:

Before any edits:

exodusfman800 wrote in post #8750931
Do you recommend any kind of tablet in particular?

Wacom is the "industry standard", however there are lots of options out there. To get into the tablet use relatively inexpensively, look into the Wacom Bamboo offerings. They're quite effective for what they're priced at, and they do amazing things in the right hands. I'd suggest getting a bamboo first, then moving up to a bigger size tablet once you get the hang of it.

Zansho wrote in post #8750979
Wacom is the "industry standard", however there are lots of options out there. To get into the tablet use relatively inexpensively, look into the Wacom Bamboo offerings. They're quite effective for what they're priced at, and they do amazing things in the right hands. I'd suggest getting a bamboo first, then moving up to a bigger size tablet once you get the hang of it.

You think it'd be worth it to spend the extra and get into the intuos4 Series? Is the medium a good enough size to work on without it being an inconvenience?

Well, I have an Intuos4, in 8x5 size (the size of the sensor area where the pen works). Overall, I like it a lot for my home editing, but when I'm on the road, I actually use a Wacom Pen and Touch Bamboo - it's small enough, versatile, and it's extremely portable.

The medium is a good size for most people who don't have ridiculously huge screens . Last thing you want is a super big tablet taking up all your desktop space.

The biggest difference is the amount of pressure sensitivity between my two tablets, with the Intuos taking on more sensitivity, and it's more programmable for different functions, and has somewhat slightly better control. Be warned though, there's a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using tablets.

Zansho wrote in post #8751073
Well, I have an Intuos4, in 8x5 size (the size of the sensor area where the pen works). Overall, I like it a lot for my home editing, but when I'm on the road, I actually use a Wacom Pen and Touch Bamboo - it's small enough, versatile, and it's extremely portable.

The medium is a good size for most people who don't have ridiculously huge screens . Last thing you want is a super big tablet taking up all your desktop space.

The biggest difference is the amount of pressure sensitivity between my two tablets, with the Intuos taking on more sensitivity, and it's more programmable for different functions, and has somewhat slightly better control. Be warned though, there's a bit of a learning curve when it comes to using tablets.

haha, I know what you mean about desktop space though.

I think I'll save up and get the Intuoso 8x5. Thanks for info. I appreciate it!

What do you mean by learning curve?

the learning curve is that you've been using a mouse for a long time (in my case, i've been using a mouse for more than 15 yrs)...you're brain has been programmed to use the mouse...using a tablet is a different ballgame...it takes some getting used to...

thaking wrote in post #8751367
the learning curve is that you've been using a mouse for a long time (in my case, i've been using a mouse for more than 15 yrs)...you're brain has been programmed to use the mouse...using a tablet is a different ballgame...it takes some getting used to...

Well, that's what I assumed he was saying. I've used my laptop's touch-pad for all my editing, so I guess that will help.

I agree with other posters. I have the Wacom Bamboo and it suits me very well. You'll get the hang of it in a few hours.

The video link I posted is for pixel level D&B but the principle remains the same no matter what the zoom level.

Very nice edit BTW Zansho.