Burn Tool

[latourtownson]

Has anyone out there in Elements world ever heard of a burn tool. If so can you please tell me how to get to it?

[TonyW]

It's right down there with Dodge and Sponge:

1301

Tony

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Hi Dave,

These tools can be very harsh on faces where they are used the most. Do not work on the Background level, but on a layer above it. Start with a very low Exposure value, big image enlargement, a soft small brush, and take your time. There is an art to this so keep practicing. I have begun to use a lot more fill flash in my outdoor work to avoid having to burn and dodge.

Cheers,

Bob

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Hi David,

You just sent me your picture. I have reproduced it below:

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You wanted the leaves at the top adjusted. I would not use the burn tool. Try a Levels Adjustment Layer. Use the midtone slider to lighten up the Adjustment Layer. Don't worry about anything other than the leaves. Then with Black Paint, brush away everything but the leaves. Start with a large brush and remove the outer parts of the picture quickly. As you get close to the leaves, switch to a smaller brush at greater and greater image enlargements. It takes time, but it will do the best job for you.

Let us know how you make out.

Cheers,

Bob

[cats4jan]

What a beauitful photo

[latourtownson]

Thanks. It is missing something. When I get home tonight I am going to take some of Roberts advice to make it look a little nicer. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[latourtownson]

I actually would also like to bring out the sunrays a little more. Any ideas on that it would be great.

[TonyW]

Dave: My favorite method with images like this is to use the Adobe Camera Raw 4.1 update (you need PSE4 or PSE5 for it to work). It will let you open up jpegs and work on them - you can make two or more adjustments and superimpose the results for example. Not sure if it's better but here's what I got quickly. Nice picture BTW :)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1kHxzuyZss747gs0ev2JVEIVZPat50_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1kHxzuyZss747gs0ev2JVEIVZPat50)

Tony

[dj_paige]

TonyW ... could you explain further how Adobe Camera Raw can achieve the effects you just mentioned?

[GaryK]

I had a quick go with the dodge and burn tools
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1jFU4UBRO2NeI0BczCz2tN7rjZlk0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1jFU4UBRO2NeI0BczCz2tN7rjZlk0)

[TonyW]

TonyW ... could you explain further how Adobe Camera Raw can achieve the effects you just mentioned?

Paige: Basically you can use Camera Raw to make adjustments to the exposure, shadows, highlights etc and since ACR4.0 you've been able to use it with JPEGS as well as RAW files. Although RAW files would be better because they have greater tonal range I find it works pretty well with JPEGS where you want to bring out detail in one part of an image and not another and the controls I find very easy to work (and it has some neat ones like Clarity and Vibrance). So on that one I used it twice with different settings, put the resultant two images on two layers and used a layer mask to reveal the bits of the underlying layer that I wanted to show.

Tony

[latourtownson]

Can you tell me how you paint with light?

[cats4jan]

I think the original is beautiful.

I am confused at what is trying to be accomplished.

What's wrong with the leaves and why are you guys adding light?

[latourtownson]

I am just wanting to bring the sunrays out a little more. I thought if I lightened up the leaves just a little it would help.

[cats4jan]

Just feel like "tweaking" hey? Isn't it great we have the option to do that?

Still voting for the original. LOL

I absolutely love that photo.

[latourtownson]

Dont you think it would look a little prettier if I could bring the rays of sun out just a tad bit more?

[cats4jan]

I'm certainly no expert and I'm a pretty lousy photographer so my opinion isn't worth much - but the mood of that photo somehow gets me.

But, who says it won't be equally stunning with more rays.

[Rusty]

I have to admit, I'm with Janice on this one.

I thought the first one was just fine as is. To my way of looking at it, the dark leaves nicely framed the center.

I can understand why you want to play with "enhancing the rays" but suggest you use a mask to retain the darkness of the leaves.

See what that does for you. :)

Rusty