# Solarize Image

Gerhard
Kulzer

    gerhard at kulzer.net

The digiKam image plugin Solarize Image is a tool for applying a solarization effect on images.

KDE
Digikam

# Introduction

In the age of chemical image processing, solarizing (also known as Sabatier) was an effect created by exposing a partially developed print to a brief flash of light, then completing the development. The colored, darker areas shield the additional light from the sensitive photo layers, which has the net effect of making the lighter areas darker and colors being inverted during the second exposure. The result resembles a partially negative image. The plugin allows to adjust the interesting effect smoothly.

## Using the plugin

The Intensity control helps to preview the solarization by simply increasing it. At about 50% intensity the image shows what was once chemically possible. If you further increase the effect it will finally become a negative image, a stage of inversion not achievable on photographic paper.

## The plugin in action

This is an example of solarization effect. The original image is (1) and the corrected image is (2). The Intensity level applied is 30%.

### Solarize Image Effect Preview