What does dodging refer to in photography?

Dodging in photography specifically refers to the technique of creating lighter areas in a photograph by reducing the exposure to light during the printing process, which often entails blocking light from reaching certain areas of the photographic paper. This technique is used in darkroom settings, where specific parts of an image are selectively shielded from light, resulting in those areas being lighter when the final print is developed.

While the question focuses on the aspect of dodging related to lightening certain areas, the correct association should actually be with creating lighter areas, affirming that the understanding of dodging is primarily linked to light manipulation to enhance an image. This process allows photographers to draw attention to specific elements of the composition and to create a balanced overall exposure in the final photograph. The confusion may arise from the context of other terms used in photography, such as "burning," which is aimed at darkening an area, thus distinguishing dodging's role in the exposure game.