What technique is used to hold light back from an overexposed area?

The technique used to hold light back from an overexposed area is known as dodging. This process involves reducing the exposure on parts of a photographic print during printing or manipulation of digital images. When an area of a photograph is overexposed, it appears too bright and lacks detail. Dodging aims to selectively lighten or expose certain parts of the image, thereby managing the overall tonal range and enhancing contrast.

In the context of traditional film photography, dodging is typically performed by blocking light with an object, like a hand or a tool, while the print is being exposed in the darkroom. In digital photography, it can be achieved using software tools that allow for local adjustments to brightness and contrast.

The other techniques mentioned serve different purposes; filtering typically relates to modifying colors or contrasts rather than controlling exposure directly, while burning refers to the opposite practice—darkening parts of an image that may be too light. Dodging and burning as a combined technique addresses both underexposed and overexposed areas but specifically, dodging focuses on holding back light from overexposed spots.