In contrast to the adjustment layers, the retouch brushes apply modifications to a selected pixel layer, thereby affecting individual pixels on the layer.
The retouch brushes provide the opportunity for precision work in editing images and pixel layers. For example, the Dodge Brush is ideal for lightening areas of shadow within a photo while leaving other areas unaffected.
The retouch brushes available include:
Dodge—Dodging adjusts the exposure under the brush stroke to lighten the painted area. This has the opposite effect to Burning.
Burn—Burning adjusts the exposure under the brush stroke to darken the painted area. This has the opposite effect to Dodging.
Smudge—Smudging is a technique which allows you to blend pixels within an image. The brush 'picks up' color from the click point and 'drags' it in the brush stroke direction.
Blur—Blurring reduces the contrast between pixels under the brush stroke, thereby softening the edges of the painted area. This has the opposite effect to Sharpening. Blurring does not smear color within the painted area like Smudging.
Sharpen—Sharpening increases the contrast between pixels under the brush stroke, thereby enhancing the edges of the painted area. This has the opposite effect to Blurring.