When is dodging and burning recommended for a print?

Whenever I create my prints I never find it necessary to dodge and burn the print. Am I missing something or is it not necessary all the time?

It is only necessary when the dark/light ratios of the subject or contrast is unacceptable to the photographer/printer. It may be desirable in other circumstances.

Thank you!

Personally, I have never done either one.

 

I do use variable contrast paper, and adjust the contrast to the way I want to see it.

Most often, it is more work than I want to do.

 

If it helps any, most often I keep the tone controls on my audio systems in the center

position, except for unusual cases where the source is wrong.

 

I also prefer color films that don't exaggerate the color, or give excessive contrast.

(I use Porta NC and not VC.)

 

But others, I am sure, have different preferences.

It's like compression in taping audio. You usually need to do it when the range of tonalities in the image are outside the latitude of the film or sensor. Brighten the too-dark, darken the too-bright (see dodging and burning).

 

You've heard of the the Zone System? Well this is sort of the "Ozone System" (The Ozone System: Photoshop Shadow/Highlight)

I always edged burned my prints the same as Ansel Adams did. I would use a cardboard to give a one or two second burn about 1-1/2 inches in from the edges of each print.

This was believed to draw the eye more toward the center of the print. I once burned some prints and didn't burn some others of the identical prints. When I asked people which they preferred that would say that they didn't see any difference but when they did chose they invariably chose the edge burned prints.

Thank you for the replies!

I probably dodge or burn every b&w print I make. I adjust contrast also but dodging or burning in is common practice for me. I usually burn down excessive highlights and more rarely dodge underexposed features. How much of it depends on the characteristics of the negative but I rarely simply print one straight unless I am in a big hurry.

 

Rick H.