Photoshop Elements /

Burning & Dodging /

With RAW Files

If you've saved the photograph in a RAW file format as well as a JPEG, use the RAW file for burning and dodging instead of the JPEG file.

A RAW file has many more brightness levels in the shadow areas to manipulate.

As you can see below, the result is better if you use a RAW file.

JPEG File after Burning & Dodging

RAW File Version after Burning & Dodging