Dodge and burn is a technique which already existed when photos were developed and edited in the darkroom.

Dodge and burn (short D & B) is in principle only to emphasize highlights and shadows, thereby strengthening contrast in an image. That can be existing highlights and shadows, but you can also add new ones and thus change the lighting mood in an image. This is made possible with Photoshop, GIMP and similar image editing software.

And that’s how it works (Photoshop):

• Create a copy of the level (CTRL + J) and fill the area (SHIFT + BACKSPACE) - 50% gray and blending "Soft light" – o.k. This level changes nothing at the moment because the 50% gray in this layer mode is invisible.

• With a soft brush, little opacity and "white" = painted areas get lighter and "Black" = respectively darker (using key D to turn on background and foreground color) can now the desired effects by Dodge or burn be achieved. By pressing X you can quickly switch between black and white. Changing the brush opacity does the rest.

• Working on a layer copy the original image is not being changed (non destructive functioning). The opacity of the layer can control the intensity of the effect.

• Of course it is possible to edit the lights (lightening) and the shadows (darkening) on separate layers. The respective layer opacity can further control the effect.

Trying pays because everybody appreciates better picture results.

Note:
The NIK filter "Viveza" has specifically been created for such operations and meets even the highest requirements.