Spirit of the Tree

[ohheckyeah]

I posted this photo a while ago but it was much smaller. I ran across the larger photo today and scanned it. Someone here said they wanted to see it larger. It's a Sabatier effect (solarization) done in the darkroom. Here it is:

[Mira]

1. When this was shown I missed it. I'm not missing it now - and loving it.

A marvelous image and effect. I would love to know more about it if you feel inclined to tell.

[ohheckyeah]

2. Thank you! It was an interesting old tree

I photographed up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a 35mm print taken with a Nikon. I decided to do a solarization or Sabatier effect on it. The Sabatier effect is basically done during the development process in the dark room. Once you expose the image, you put it into the developer and you re-expose it to light for a brief time and let it finish developing. (That's one way of doing it. Some people re-expose it before putting it in the developer.) Anyway, once it develops fully after the second exposure you get the darkened areas with the bright light areas.

I may have left some steps out because it's been a good while since I was in the darkroom and did this.

Here's an example of a solarization process done by Photoshop CS2 (the new one may have a better filter for solarizing)

Original photo:


Photo after using Photoshop solarizing filter:


As you can see the technique used in the darkroom does a much better job of solarizing than Photoshop can.

[Mira]

3. Fascinating - thank you so much

you took me by the hand and led me to something I need to study further. Now I appreciate the photo even more, and you, for taking the time!

[ohheckyeah]

6. You're welcome.

I loved doing the solarization in the darkroom. I just tried it in Photoshop with a few other photos with higher contrast and it still doesn't do as a good a job. I'm sure there are some Photoshop tips and tricks to make it look better so now I need to do some further study. :-)

[NV Whino]

4. The solorize filter in PS does a better job than that

although, perhaps, not as good as doing it in the darkroom. But you do have to give it more detail to start with. All the tones in your photo are pretty flat.

[ohheckyeah]

5. The photo I used

was originally in color and I didn't mess much with it when I changed it to black and white to show Mira the Photoshop solarizing filter.

What version of PS are you using? I want the new CS5....it's amazing! I supposed to be getting it for Christmas. :-)

[NV Whino]

7. I'm using CS4

I hear that 5 is really good.

[ohheckyeah]

8. I'm using CS2

and I'm getting CS5. I had a trial version and it's amazing. The content aware function is absolutely wonderful. LOVE IT.

[JeffR]

9. I think half the success of using solarization is picking the right photo for it

and your pick was perfect. Good work!

[ohheckyeah]

10. thank you

and I agree. Not every picture does well with solarization nor does it improve many photos.