Is dodge and burn for noobs?

unfocused · Moderator Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 6983 Location: Texas

What is the general opinion on using dodge and burn? I've seen people get grilled for using it too much, how much is too much? They are simple tools to use, is that why some people don't like to see it being used? Or is it because some people are bad with such simple tools?

I've used the tools only a little, but have used them a lot in something I am drawing right now. Kinda feels like cheating. Is it?
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London · Moderator Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 6474

Hur, some people think using photoshop is cheating.

Nothing wrong with dodge and burn. Most people just suck at using it and it makes their pictures look ugly.

I'm absolutely terrible at getting colors to look right on the first try, and I usually end up making super drastic changes in color/brightness/contrast with the program's tools instead of re-drawing things, and some people might consider this cheating, but if you have a way to make your picture look better, it doesn't make sense not to use them.
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Edward_Elric_1308 · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 10:08 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't consider dodge and burn cheating. I use them all the time in openCanvas 4.06e Plus.

London · Moderator Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 6474

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Brianhjh · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 3:19 am Post subject:

I personally think it goes well with lens flash.
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museforsale · Newb Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 7

I'm not sure because I've never touched a good photo editing program in my life, but doesn't dodge and burn simply lighten/darken a shade?

If so, I guess people feel they're cop-outs because it allows them to avoid learning color theory. To color something properly, you don't just take the lighter/darker version of a color. Different tones and such have to be considered. I personally feel indifferent toward it (I suck at coloring), but I suppose there are some that would get pissed that people use shortcuts when they themselves have to devote time and practice to learn the right way.

Stratadrake · Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:06 pm Post subject:

Dodge and burn are no substitute for time-honored skill and experience as an artist. They can provide convenient, quick tints and shades (that's their purpose, after all), but you need an understanding of how they work on the inside to get the most out of them.

Even when you're familiar with how they work, dodge and burn can still be a little unpredictable. In many cases you can simply configure the brush tool with an appropriate color and blending mode to imitate the same effect more precisely.
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Brianhjh · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:59 pm Post subject:

I think Dodge and burn increases saturation and darkens at the same time. The strength relative to the color selected.

It's a lot different than simply making it darker.
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Stratadrake · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:34 am Post subject:

[quote="Brianhjh"]I think Dodge and burn increases saturation and darkens at the same time. The strength relative to the color selected.

It's a lot different than simply making it darker.[/quote]
Saturation, like darkness/lightness/etc., are dependant on the type of colorspace used. Digital dodge and burn can be adjusted to operate on highlights/midtones/shadows giving each one different effects depending on what you need.

As an example of how dodge and burn can correlate to normal brushing, dodging shadows = low opacity white brush, Divide blending; burning highlights = low opacity black brush, Multiply blending.

Anyone have real darkroom experience? Dodge wands and burn sheets essentially inherently operated on the shadows range. Not to mention that while you could burn indefinitely, the same was not true for dodging.
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RammsteinSkollexxx · Rookie Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 41

as long as it's not your only tool for shading and colouring, it's very useful

Sorceress_Ultimecia · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:10 pm Post subject:

Dodge and Burn simply make an image look awful. God awful! Just shade it yourself the good old fashioned way. I was guilty of using dodge and burn when I was 13-14, but I've grown out of that. I RARELY use it. Use it sparingly people, don't use it often.
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TnFDESIGNER · Newb Joined: 03 Apr 2008 Posts: 14 Location: N/A

the way i look at it. if the tool is what they need to create there image then all the power to them. who cares what others think about your process.the only time that i have used dodge is to get a certain lighting effect that is almost impossible get using just the brushes. personally i have trained in classes for three years on these programs and if it helps you create your beautiful image to your expectations then go fer it...

dodge is a wonderful tool for perfectly straight light beams. thats what ive used it for...but if your trained or have practiced alot of shading and lighting effects on the characters then just go with the brushes.i find they get it perfectly. everyones talented in there own ways so just embrace it.

and anyone thats going to give fellow artists trouble for doing things differently then them are closed minded and show have the reflection os advice or insults thrown right back at them because they are the ones with the poor attitude and insecurity on there own work, that or they are way too egotistical, either way they should be disregarded all together Smile

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nightmare1234567890 · Newb Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 9

dodge or burn isn't for noobs or cheating. It all base on how you use it.

Jhihmoac · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:23 pm Post subject:

Not really, Dodge and Burn are used a lot in slight color correction when only minimal lightening (Dodge) and darkening (Burn) are needed...Both are usually used as layers on top of an existing color...