When using the burn or dodge tool in Adobe, what diameter should the round feather brush be?

Using the burn or dodge tool in Adobe applications such as Photoshop, the diameter of the round feather brush is crucial for achieving subtle and smooth adjustments. A diameter of 4 to 5 ridges strikes a balance between precision and blending, allowing the user to apply tonal adjustments without creating harsh lines or edges. This size is effective for seamlessly integrating the adjustments into the surrounding areas, which is essential when working on highlights or shadows in a photograph.

Using a smaller diameter could limit the area of effect, making it challenging to achieve a smooth gradient across larger regions, while a larger diameter might lead to overshooting the adjustments, causing unwanted intensity in the image. Therefore, the selected size of 4 to 5 ridges allows for controlled manipulation of light and dark areas, providing depth and richness to the photograph while maintaining a natural look.