Which photographic technique refers to lightening specific areas of an image?

The correct answer is dodging, which specifically refers to the technique of lightening particular areas of an image. This technique is often used in the darkroom by photographers who want to selectively lighten spots on a print, which can help to draw attention to those areas or enhance the overall composition. In modern digital photography, dodging can be accomplished through software that allows for similar adjustments to exposure or brightness in targeted regions of the image.

Vignetting involves darkening the corners or edges of a photograph, creating a focus on the center, rather than lightening areas. Burning, on the other hand, is a technique used to darken specific areas of an image. Blending refers to combining multiple images or elements to create a cohesive look, but it does not specifically deal with lightening or darkening areas of an image. Thus, dodging is the term that clearly aligns with the process of lightening select parts of a photograph.