Tool manual

How to use the Sponge tool

The Sponge tool changes colour strength where you paint: it can make colours richer or wash them out towards grey.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with Dodge and Burn. 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 Sponge.
2. Pick a mode. Choose Saturate for richer colour or Desaturate to mute it.
3. Set Flow. Start low; each stroke goes up to the flow, and painting again adds more.
4. Paint. Brush over the parts to change.

Options bar settings

• Desaturate and Saturate: Whether colours get weaker or stronger.
• Flow: How much each stroke changes.
• Vibrance: Changes colours that are already strong less, so skin and bright objects do not go garish.
• Size, Hardness, Pressure: The brush diameter, its edge, and pen pressure for size.

Tips and common mistakes

• Desaturate everything except one object for a colour pop effect, then check edges at 100% zoom.
• For colour changes across the whole photo, Image → Adjustments is quicker and easier to reverse.

Related

• How to use the Dodge tool
• How to use the Burn tool
• How to use the Color Sampler tool
• Make a photo black and white

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Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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