Ever notice how some photos seem to literally jump off the screen? Often, that magic comes down to dodging and burning. Don’t worry—despite their odd names, these tools are easier to use than you might think.

Dodging means lightening parts of your image, while burning means darkening other areas. Imagine a painter adding highlights to make something look shiny, or shadows to add depth. Photographers use these tools to draw your eye right where they want it to go.

• How to Use: Most editing apps (like Photoshop or Lightroom) have Dodge and Burn brushes.
• Apply the Dodge tool to brighten up faces or important objects.
• Use Burn to darken backgrounds and push viewers toward your subject.

This technique is perfect for portraits, but it works on landscapes, too! Think of it as using a flashlight to highlight your favorite parts of the scene.

🔍 Quick Tip: Use a low-strength brush and build up gradually. Overdoing it can make your photo look artificial.

If you love shooting portraits, you’ve probably struggled with skin retouching. How do professionals get that smooth, clear look without turning people into plastic dolls?

Enter frequency separation. This technique lets you separate the texture (like pores or fine lines) from the color and tone (like shadows or redness). This way, you can fix blemishes and smooth out color, all while keeping your subject looking real and natural.

• How to Use: You’ll need Photoshop for this one (though some mobile apps attempt a simpler version).
• Duplicate your photo into two layers—one for texture, one for tones.
• Use the healing brush or clone stamp on the texture layer to zap pimples or rough spots.
• On the tone layer, gently blend colors for a glowing, even look.

I tried this on a portrait of my friend once, and wow—the results were amazing. It looked just like her, only on her best day. No waxy, fake skin—just natural beauty enhanced.

Did you know?
Magazine retouchers have used frequency separation for years! Now you can, too.