Learning Photography

Out of context: Reply #173

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  • uan0

    I've got a photoshop tool name question:

    The Dodge tool and the Burn tool lighten or darken areas of the image. These tools are based on a traditional darkroom technique for regulating exposure on specific areas of a print.

    Photographers hold back light to lighten an area on the print (dodging) or increase the exposure to darken areas on a print (burning).

    My question, Isn't it the other way around?
    less light -> darker area, more light -> lighter area

    Is it because you work from a negative in the the dark room, so the formula is inverted?

    • In the darkroom, the longer the light is projected onto the paper, the darker it gets. The paper starts as white, and the light exposes it to black.
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    • So, more light = more black.
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    • Regarding your last sentence, you have it backwards. The formula is inverted, therefore you must work from a negative. ;)
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    • yep, my mind is twisted on this subject...thanks, your explanations are helping clearing this mess up.uan

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