Local exposure control (Burning-in and Dodging)

Prints can be enhanced by controlling exposure in local areas i.e. using the burning in and dodging techniques. This technique can result in an image that contains more balanced tones and densities. For example a certain exposure may bring out the detail in the darker areas of an image but this time may not be sufficient to show the detail in the lighter areas. Therefore a certain degree of selective exposure is required to enhance the print.

This is achieved by first exposing the whole image to the appropriate light for the darker areas (as determined by a test strip). Then while the darker or selected area is dodged i.e. protected from the light by a moving object, the whole image can then be further exposed to develop the other areas. This technique of exposing certain areas for a greater time in a controlled manner is known as burning-in. The durations for dodging and burning-in can be varied until the desired result is achieved.

Landscape images often benefit from this technique where the detail in the sky (often the lighter area) can be brought out. Although this technique can be used for all images as and when desired.