how do I lighten/darken certain parts of a pic?

[cherokee1111]

I have LR3 and PSE8 but dont know my way around them well, sometimes I want to darken a sky but not the whole picture or vice/versa, can someone tell me a way to do that in simple terms please?
thanks

 

[tirc83]

Lots of methods but one simple way (In Photoshop) that may work in PSE 8 is

1. Ensure you have black and white as your color swatch defaults
2. Create a new layer (CTRL J)
3. Change the mode of the top layer to Multiply
4. Add a layer mask
5. Use the Gardient tool (choosing the foreground to background option) and draw a short vertical line around the horizon. You may need to draw upwards or downwards - just trial it.
6. Reduce the opacity of the layer so the transition looks a little more natural (40-70% range)

 

[nikonuser]

Or use the Dodge and Burn tool ......Dodge to lighten and Burn to.....

Dave

 

[DemiLion]

If you have a level (or nearish) horizon, then the simplest way is going to be to use the gradient tool in LR3.
It's in the Develop mode, keyboard shortcut 'M'. Drag the crosshaired cursor down as far as you want the grad to extend and then adjust the settings in the panel on the right.

It's a fairly handy tool and one that is well worth getting to know.

 

[vixmix]

This is my ABSOLUTE go to for lightening and darkening within pictures. I use it exclusively rather than Dodge and Burn because I find the results far nicer and more subtle.

http://www.photoradar.com/techniques/video/learn-this-great-photoshop-blending-mode-trick

It's a fab trick and works a treat in Elements, but I use it pretty much all the time in CS2 which is the PS I have have.