Darkroom manipulation

Darkroom manipulations are those processes used, for example, to remove unwanted areas and change image background, among others.

Photo manipulation started in the darkroom in the 1860s when searching for a heroic image of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.

His darkroom style allowed him to create images that had realism and the motion of what would be seen in dreams.

Before Photoshop, dodging and burning were used to lighten or darken a part of the photograph to get better details in highlights and shadows.

Dodging can be used by hand or specific tools such as black cardboard or opaque materials so that shadows can lighten the image.

To avoid a very obvious change between the burned-in area and the rest of the image, the device must stay in motion.

Masking can give slight texture so that true blacks and shadows look properly dark.