Final answer:
To create a non-destructive dodge/burn layer, you would create a new layer filled with 50% gray, change the blend mode to Overlay, and paint with shades of gray. This technique allows for precise adjustments to shadows and highlights without altering the original photo.
Step-by-step explanation:
The creation of a non-destructive dodge/burn layer is a technique used in photo editing to manipulate the lighting of an image effectively. This is done by creating a new layer filled with 50% gray and then changing the layer blend mode to Overlay and painting with shades of gray. This method allows you to darken or lighten areas of your photo without permanently altering the original image, offering a high degree of control in adjusting the shadows and highlights. It's essential to maintain the nuances in lighting, as they contribute to the perception of depth and texture in a photograph. By using this technique, you can also avoid issues like blown-out highlights that can obscure details, such as the stripes of sunlight on a child's face being overexposed and causing loss of facial details.
Tone refers to the addition of gray to a color, affecting its appearance and is crucial in creating a realistic sense of depth and form in artwork. When using this method in a photograph, you can achieve subtle variations in lighting that enhance the value of different areas of your subject. Value changes are also instrumental in backlit situations, such as silhouettes, where you may need to balance the darkness of the subject with the intense light from behind.