Tool manual

How to use the Burn tool

The Burn tool darkens the areas you paint over. Use it to deepen shadows, add shape, or tone down a bright spot.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with Dodge and Sponge. Right-click the slot, or press and hold it, to choose between them. Press Shift+O until it is selected (O on its own picks Dodge).

How to use it

1. Choose the tool. Press Shift+O until it is selected, or right-click the dodge slot and pick Burn.
2. Pick a range. Choose Midtones, Shadows or Highlights. Highlights is good for taming a bright patch of sky or skin.
3. Set a low Exposure. Start around 10 to 20%.
4. Paint. Brush over the areas to darken, building up slowly.

Options bar settings

• Size and Hardness: The brush diameter and how soft its edge is.
• Shadows, Midtones, Highlights: Which tones change most.
• Exposure: How much each stroke darkens.
• Protect Tones: Keeps colours from turning muddy or too saturated as they darken.
• Pressure: Pen pressure changes the size.

Tips and common mistakes

• Hold Alt (Option on a Mac) to dodge instead.
• Burning the edges of a photo a little draws the eye to the middle, like a vignette.

Related

• How to use the Dodge tool
• How to use the Sponge tool
• How to use the Red Eye tool

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Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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