Dodge and Burn for Depth and Shape
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 7:24 am
Dodging (lightening) and burning (darkening) can help bring out facial features, fix uneven lighting, and add depth. Use a soft brush on a new layer set to Soft Light mode, then paint gently with white (to dodge) or black (to burn). Adjust the layer’s opacity as needed.
Use this technique to brighten eyes, reduce shadows under the nose photo retouching service or eyes, or enhance cheekbones and jawlines. It’s subtle, but very powerful when done correctly.
6. Use Adjustment Layers to Correct Colors and Exposure
Photos often need some tweaks in brightness, contrast, or color. Use Adjustment Layers like:
Levels or Curves to correct lighting.
Hue/Saturation to boost or reduce colors.
Color Balance to fix any color casts.
These adjustments are non-destructive and can be edited anytime. Combine them with layer masks to apply changes only to certain areas of your image.
7. Sharpen Your Image for a Final Polish
After retouching, apply some sharpening to make your image pop. Use Unsharp Mask or Smart Sharpen for controlled results. Be careful not to oversharpen, especially in portraits, where too much sharpness can make skin look harsh.
8. Practice and Be Patient
Retouching is a skill that improves with time. Start with basic edits, and work your way up as you grow comfortable. There are countless tutorials available online that demonstrate real-time workflows. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes.
Conclusion
Photoshop retouching may seem complex, but starting with simple tools like the Spot Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, and Adjustment Layers can already make a big difference. Focus on enhancing your images naturally, and avoid over-editing. With practice and patience, you’ll develop a keen eye for detail and grow into more advanced techniques. Remember, great retouching often goes unnoticed because it looks so natural—that’s the mark of a job well done.
Use this technique to brighten eyes, reduce shadows under the nose photo retouching service or eyes, or enhance cheekbones and jawlines. It’s subtle, but very powerful when done correctly.
6. Use Adjustment Layers to Correct Colors and Exposure
Photos often need some tweaks in brightness, contrast, or color. Use Adjustment Layers like:
Levels or Curves to correct lighting.
Hue/Saturation to boost or reduce colors.
Color Balance to fix any color casts.
These adjustments are non-destructive and can be edited anytime. Combine them with layer masks to apply changes only to certain areas of your image.
7. Sharpen Your Image for a Final Polish
After retouching, apply some sharpening to make your image pop. Use Unsharp Mask or Smart Sharpen for controlled results. Be careful not to oversharpen, especially in portraits, where too much sharpness can make skin look harsh.
8. Practice and Be Patient
Retouching is a skill that improves with time. Start with basic edits, and work your way up as you grow comfortable. There are countless tutorials available online that demonstrate real-time workflows. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes.
Conclusion
Photoshop retouching may seem complex, but starting with simple tools like the Spot Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, and Adjustment Layers can already make a big difference. Focus on enhancing your images naturally, and avoid over-editing. With practice and patience, you’ll develop a keen eye for detail and grow into more advanced techniques. Remember, great retouching often goes unnoticed because it looks so natural—that’s the mark of a job well done.