The Burn Tool darkens an area of an image; the Dodge Tool lightens an area of an image. (These tools are based on photographic development techniques for controlling exposure on specific areas of a print.)
The Sponge Tool, found in the same flyout menu as the Dodge Tool and the Burn Tool, changes the level of saturation of colors for an area of an image.
In the following example, we used the Burn Tool to darken the wall surrounding the doorway, and the Sponge Tool to saturate the colors of the gazebo.
Original Image
Adjusted Image
How do I use the Burn, Dodge and Sponge Tools?
1) Select either the Burn, Dodge or Sponge Tool from the Toolbox.
The Options Bar selections (located across the top of the screen) will change based upon which tool you selected (Burn and Dodge have the same options):
2) On the Options Bar, select the brush size and type of brush you want to use from the Brush pull-down menu. (Click the arrow on the upper right corner of the brush palette to see a menu for additional brush options).
3) Also on the Options Bar, adjust the Exposure or Pressure percentage to between 10 and 15%. (The lower the percentage, the less drastic the effect, allowing you to maintain precise control over the amount of lightening, darkening, or saturating).
4) If you are using the Burn or Dodge Tools, select either Shadows, Midtones, or Highlights from the Range pull-down menu on the Options Bar.
OR
If you are using the Sponge Tool, select either Saturate or Desaturate from the Mode pull-down menu on the Options Bar.
5) Draw with the mouse to create the effect.
Credit to Dr. Mary Nicholson
