Burn Baby, or Dodge That Bullet!
(Compositing Modes in Sony Vegas software
Douglas Spotted Eagle/VASST Trainer
©2005 Sundance Media Group

   The original image

Sometimes you're might be looking for some creative effects that can be created easily and quickly. Photoshop users are already familiar with the Dodge and Burn tools, while many Vegas users aren't even aware that these tools are also available for creative use.

There are several ways you can use these tools, but here are a couple of ways you can access great looks quickly.

First, create a new track in your Vegas timeline. On this track, place either stills or video that you'd like to process/filter.

Now duplicate the track. (Right click the track header and choose "Duplicate Track" from the drop down menu.

 

 

 

 

 

Image after the Burn Mode is applied. Use a solid color between the two images for other types of process control

On the upper track, click the Compositing Mode button and choose the compositing mode for "Burn." You'll notice immediate results as the image is burned/blacks get darker, as if the image was over exposed.

Now, insert a new track between the upper and lower tracks. In this track, place a solid color. Notice that the color used for this illustration is blue. You'll see the burned image take on a completely new feel. For more experimentation, use the burn compositing mode on the solid color track as well. You might be surprised at the result.

 
Use a Cookie Cutter on generated media to create a mask and vignette around the image that you've burned. Use the opacity adjustment on the Generated Media to dim the depth of the generated mask.  

Finally, insert a new track above the other three tracks. On this track insert a solid color. In this example, I've used black.

Drop a Cookie Cutter set to the "Cut Away Section" in the presets. Feather the edges to suit your needs.

To use the Dodge compositing mode, leave everything exactly as it is, excepting that we'll change the compositing mode of Track Two to the Dodge mode rather than the Burn mode.

The Dodge Mode will lighten the image. Dodge Mode combined with the existing blue Generated Media

You'll immediately notice that the image now becomes lighter, acting as though the exposure was not left exposed long enough.

After using the Burn or Dodge compositing modes, consider using a Brightness/Contrast filter for additional clarity. You might also consider a touch of sharpening, depending on what you're trying to achieve with the overall look of the image.

 
With the Generated Media mask and the Cookie Cutter filter set to Oval/side, and reduced opacity of the upper track's Generated Media.  

While this is a very short tutorial, these are exceptionally easy tools to use. Play with them a bit to further expand your knowledge of the various tools inside of the Vegas NLE system.

 
 
Happy editing!
Spot

 
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