The 50% Gray Layer for Dodging and Burning is STILL Valid
Dodging and Burning, a very contentious topic among the community. Why? Because some people will outwardly chastise you for using a method that they feel is “archaic” or “dated” or “unnecessary”. Every time I dodge and Burn with a 50% Gray layer, the tutorial is followed by at least 20 comments and 50 emails asking me why I use a dated method for Dodging and Burning.
I have many reasons why I prefer this method, but first, what is the alternative? The alternative to filling a layer with 50% Gray, set it to Soft Light, and use the Dodging and Burning Tools is to make a blank layer, set it to soft light, and use the brush tool with black and white. It is simply an alternative with many different reasons for use.
One method is not better than another, in actuality, it comes down to personal preference. So if you’ve ever wondered why I use 50% gray and not a blank layer with the brush tool. This is why!
-Unlock the Unknown in Your Workflow-
If you like this tutorial using the Linear Light Blend Mode, you will love all the techniques I will show you in my new course, The Best Blend Mode in the World!
••• You will learn •••
► The Basics of the Linear Light Blend Mode
► Linear Light Sharpening and Noise Reduction
► Dodging and Burning
►How to Create Light
►Color Dodging, Burning, and Painting
►How to Balance and Grade Color
►Astonishing Glows and Radiance Effects
►Create Micro Contrast quickly and easily
►How to make a Heightened Dynamic Range Effect (seen in today’s video)
For Blake, it's all about the art and process synergy. He dives deep into complex topics and makes them easy to understand through his outside-the-box thinking so that you can use these tricks in your workflow today!
Just in the middle of your “source course” on the Linear Light blend mode, and there’s something about Blend-If I just have to mention. Quite by accident I found out earlier this year that if you hold down the Alt key and hit (customarily) the grey Underlying Layer scale anywhere, the nearest triangle separates itself from its source and appears underneath the cursor. Much less fiddly than trying to separate the two halves of the source triangle. I’ve never seen this documented; try it and perhaps mention it in your next course?
Brilliant tip; thanks Bert.
Thanks for this tip!!! I always have a terrible time trying to separate the triangle!
Well presented. You made your case. I will stick with the 50% Gray and Linear Light method. 🙂
I saw the original video and I think he used the “Stupid” label just to attract attention. I’ve used a blank layer since I started with Elements 10 years ago and it works for me. The issue I have with the 50% grey layer is that many instructors think you can just burn the highlights or shadows by setting the range of the dodge/burn tool, not a thing that you would do.
I do use the dodge/burn tool on luminance masks as the range setting is useful and I don’t know of a non-destructive way of editing a mask.
Thanks for shedding more light on the topic and keep up the good work.
Your stick-in-the-mud friend,
Dave
To control color shifts in the dodge/burn layer couldn’t you just apply a 0% saturation layer to it?
Thank you Blake! I bought and was showing the “Game of Tones” course to some friends. (It wowed them and at least one is buying it!) But I was unable to articulate the “why” of your B&D method. This nails it, and frees us to use what works for us.
Well stated. I have always used the 50% gray approach but the linear light blending option is new information. I am ordering your course because you appear to be a good teacher and I value the knowledge you are sharing.