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Solar Curves in photo retouching
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thehermit

Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 3987
Location: Cheltenham, UK


PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:37 am    Post subject: Solar Curves in photo retouching Reply with quote

I was going to submit this to the tutorial/tips section, but it's really not that in depth to justify it, so I though I would post it here instead.

This is mainly for skin retouchers, but it can be put to a number of uses. It is best used in conjunction with dodge and burn layers. It acts as a guide so you can better see the transitions between shades. You can see from the image I have posted how to create the solar curve with a curve adjustment layer, I also use a black and white adjustment layer with the settings shown to bring out skin blemishes and to better see skin pores, although using the b&w adjustment layer means reducing the opacity of d&b layers to around 66%.

So, in short, if you are a retoucher, get yourself a solar curve adjustment layer, it's just another tool in the arsenal ;)

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hawkeye

Joined: 14 May 2009
Posts: 2377
Location: Mesa, Az

OS: Windows 7 Pro 64 bit

PostPosted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That technique works well for creating chrome text too.
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Auieos

Joined: 29 Jan 2010
Posts: 2019



PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the tip Mike.
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renata

Joined: 26 Nov 2010
Posts: 368
Location: Australia


PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 4:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Mr Hermit, sounds pretty scary. Does 'solar' refer to the look that it produces, or is it a general term for that shaped curve? Is that related to "solarisation" (I saw a tutorial where the curve is turned into an inverted V)?

Sorry for all the questions. I feel a bit intimidated by some of these techniques!
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thehermit

Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 3987
Location: Cheltenham, UK


PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

In truth renata I don't actually know why, I like you can only presume it's because of the solarization effect it produces.

The actual curve is just 6 points really so it's not intimidating ;) Uses are for checking edges of work like hair or skin and checking clone marks or repeating patterns and the like.

As always I found someone less lazy and better equipped to explain it's uses, plus there's a link to download a curves he's done :) Solar Curve

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K-touch

Joined: 17 Jan 2010
Posts: 166
Location: Sydney, Australia.
PS Version: CS, CS2, CS3, CS4
OS: Mac OS X, Win Xp

PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 5:35 am    Post subject: Re: Solar Curves in photo retouching Reply with quote

Hi there, thanks for the tip, but can you post us the actual curve, or give us the youtube if anyone on youtube has shown us how things work.. that'll be great.. : )

Cheers

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thehermit

Joined: 05 Mar 2003
Posts: 3987
Location: Cheltenham, UK


PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have posted an image of the curve, all you have to do is place the points in the same place or use a few less points for a 2 or 3 point curve or more.

I have found a link to an action for solar curves (along with a lot more) looks pretty useful and is ideal for the lazy ;) Solar Curve action

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K-touch

Joined: 17 Jan 2010
Posts: 166
Location: Sydney, Australia.
PS Version: CS, CS2, CS3, CS4
OS: Mac OS X, Win Xp

PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 6:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hahaha! thanks mate... : )
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