We have here a new thread to talk about: cloning with a solar curve. I am so, so, so interested.

that would be a new technique for me to learn..


http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-retouching/17214-solar-curve.html

captain: wow...thanks...really nice tip there....



Gerry

You're welcome.
It's not like i came up with the technique tho. ;)

Thanks Captain for the thread link.

I usually use a simpler curve and a black/white adjustment layer, but this seems like a very nice way of doing it.... will experiment with it if I get some time.

Thanks!

Its a very good way of seeing if anythings uneven

I have been using this Solar Curve, and its inverse, for some time to detect dust particles on the sensors of my digital cameras. Like the curve described here, the 2nd curve is the inverse - start with the 1st point at 0 and make every other point 255. If there is any dust particles or sensor anomalies they show up when you apply these curves to an image. One curve will detect white / light colored particles, the other curve black / dark ones. You will see immediately the specks that recurr in every image in the same location.
Regards, Murray

i have used curves to exaggerate contrast, but what advantage does this curve have specifically over a sharp "S" curve?

PZ, this curve will bring out everything your eye will likely miss on screen....but the printing press will not be that forgiving!

only way to really see how it works is to try it out....good example, open a good image with like a white-ish wall or background and then add a solar curve and now you will see all the dirt you need to clone.

I have found solar curves to be indispensable over the years. I don't really use them for skin work, but I use them a lot for hair work. And as KR says, put one on an image that has a light background where hair has been removed. Or even dirt and it will show.
Using a solar curve when doing this will make it easier to do by showing you where to clone/heal from. Especially whether are gradients of any kind involved.

A real time saver and a good way to show that you are not infallible.

Chris

Amazing tool!

I started using this curve at work 2 days ago, it works fantastic so far. I've been using the N curve, which creates a lesser solar effect all along. It works great as well, but this solar curve shows everything. Thanks for the tip.