Applying a Solarize Effect

You can use the Solarize effect to simulate the effect of overexposing an image, as though the film was exposed to light before developing. Select or change the Solarize options to apply this effect to your image.

You can save your settings as a preset for future use.

To Apply a Solarize Effect:

1. In Edit mode, in the Add group, select Special Effect.

You can also access the Special Effects menu from the Filter drop-down menu or Filter toolbar.

2. Click Solarize.
3. On the Solarize panel, drag the Threshold slider to specify the brightness threshold of the image.
4. In the Effect area, specify which pixels you want to adjust by selecting one of the following options:
   • Solarize: adjusts pixels located above the specified threshold option. The effect takes any pixels above the threshold and replaces them with their negative value. When you solarize an image, a higher threshold value sets a brighter threshold, and colors need to be brighter to be overexposed.
   • Lunarize: adjusts pixels located below the specified threshold option. The effect takes any pixels below the threshold and replaces them with their negative value. When you lunarize an image, a higher threshold value sets a darker threshold, and colors do not have to be as bright to be overexposed.
5. Do one of the following:
   • Click Done to accept your changes and close the panel.
   • Click Cancel to discard your changes and close the panel.

You can right-click a slider to reset to the default value.

You can use the Edit Brush to paint this effect onto specific areas of your image.

You can use the Gradient tool to transition this effect across specific areas of your image.

You can use the Radial Gradient tool to apply effects around, or directly to, a center point.

See also:

• Using Presets in Edit Mode
• Using the Undo/Redo Button
• Applying a Posterize Effect