Dodging and Burning Timer
Queue dodge or burn moves as a percentage of the base print time.
Where to find it
Tools tab Darkroom Enlarger Dodge & Burn section
Summary
Numeric input plus preset chips (-25%, -15%, +10%, +25%, +50%, +100%) for dodge (negative) or burn (positive) percentages. The calculator converts the percentage to seconds against the adjusted base time and shows the result, ready for an exposure timer.
Detail
How it works
What it does
Type a percentage or tap a preset chip. Negative numbers dodge (hold back light to lighten an area); positive numbers burn (add extra light to darken an area). The calculator shows the resulting dodge or burn time in seconds against your already-adjusted base print time.
Reading the result
If you enter +25% on a 10 second print, the readout shows Burn time 2.5 sec. If you enter -15%, the readout shows Dodge time 1.5 sec. Use these numbers when you run the print: at full exposure for the rest of the print, plus a 2.5 second burn under the dodging tool, or 1.5 seconds of dodging on the area you want lighter.
Preset chips
Six common values are one tap away. -25% and -15% are typical face dodges; +10% to +25% are typical edge burns; +50% and +100% are aggressive sky burns or deep shadow burns where the area needs much more exposure than the rest of the print.
Range
Dodging is capped at -90% (you cannot dodge more than 90% of the print time, that would be a clear gel). Burning goes up to 500% (5x the base time) to handle extreme cases like burning a bright sky 2 to 3 stops down.
Workflow
Print a base exposure first, evaluate the dry print, identify areas that need lifting (dodge) or weighting (burn), then come back and add the moves. Most fine prints have 2 to 4 dodge or burn moves; very complex prints can have 8 or more.