Solarisation

Strictly speaking solarisation is reversal, or partial reversal, of the image due to gross overexposure. The effect discussed here, although described by photographers as solarisation, is the Sabattier* effect or ‘pseudo-solarisation’. Whatever the name, the effect is easily distinguished – the reversal of weakest densities, and the formation of a thin contour line around strong tone boundaries. It therefore contains some of the characteristics of the tone line effect, but is achieved quite differently. …

PDF: Solarisation

Making a solarised print

i)  Selecting an image – This should be a bold image with a strong pattern. The image could contain blocks of differing tone or strong graphic lines.

ii)  Make a test strip – Using grade 4 or 5 makes a high contrast test strip. If the negative will not give you a high contrast print choose another negative. …

PDF: Making a solarised print