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This lesson demonstrates how to create solarised, Sabbattier effects using Adjustment Curves. To work along, download the start image Here. Unzip the file and open the image onto Photoshop’s workspace.
This is the M Curve you are looking to create.
Curves Preset
The completed Preset created for this lesson can be downloaded Here. Unzip the
file, (and Photoshop CS3 users), copy and paste the Solarise Curve 1 Preset into Photoshop’s main programme files. The Curves folder is located with Presets.
CS and CS2 users will have to open the Curves command box, and click the following Load tab.
Then navigate to the folder you downloaded my Preset to, and click it. It is then applied to your image. Photoshop CS and CS2’s Curves editor do not contain Preset tabs - a Preset therefore needs to be loaded when required.
My Curves lessons Here and Here explain the principles in greater detail.
Note
Images will always react uniquely, therefore, when using your own photographs - it is important to experiment with different Curves.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards.
Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
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Open your start image onto Photoshop’s workspace, then from the top menu, choose Image then choose Adjustments, and convert your image into black and white. My removing colour tutorial can be found Here. I utilised CS3’s Black and White filter.
Note
I am working with Photoshop CS3, and the Curves command looks slightly different, (it displays a graph) - however, it works in a similar way as versions CS and CS2.
CS2’s Curves Editor
Tip
Drag the Curves editor to one side of your photograph. Screen Capture Here! This makes it easier to view your image, whilst editing the curve.
Important
It is important not to click OK until you have created your M Curve.
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Press Ctrl then M to display the Curves editor. Then ensure the horizontal gradient bar (situated at the bottom of the command box), runs from black to white. If it is not; left-click the upper black stop highlighted below. Additionally, ensure Input and Output are both set to 0.
When the Curves editor resembles the following, you are ready to begin.
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Grab the bottom left Curve point, indicated by the red arrow below left. Then
left-click, and drag it, vertically, all the way to the top, as illustrated below-right.
 
Your image will now be Solid White.
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Now, click to add a point in the centre of the horizontal top curve, as illustrated below.
Then left-click, and drag the curve, all the way to the bottom, to create the following Soft V curve.
Your image will then change to the following.
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Now, click a point onto the left-side curve - as illustrated below.
Then grab the point, and drag it all the way to the top.
This changes your image to the following, making the subject’s legs slightly shinier.
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Now, grab the top-left (original) point, and drag it all the way to the bottom.
This darkens your image.
Grab the point, (highlighted below) and move it, so to bend the curve into a soft arch, as illustrated below. To find the best position, keep looking at your image, and see how it changes as you move the point.
The Curve above, changes your Legs.Jpeg image to the following.
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Click a point onto the right-side curve, as demonstrated below.
Then grab the point and move it slightly upwards, as illustrated below.
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Now, grab the top - far right point - highlighted below.
And drag it all the way to the bottom.
Note
Ensure the following bottom-left point is positioned tight in the corner, as illustrated below.
Curves Notes
Individual images will always display their tones uniquely, therefore, be prepared to experiment. Additionally, add as many points as you like, and very gently, move the curve to see how it effects your image.
When utilising the Legs.jpeg, this type of loose M curve, changes the image to the following.
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For my final Solarise affect, I clicked four points along the straight lines - then moved each point slightly to the left, or to the right. Moving a point, even very slightly, will greatly change your image’s appearance. Therefore, move the curve in very small increments, and keep looking at your photograph.
The M curve above, changed the Legs.Jpeg image to the following.
10/ Saving the Curve as a Preset CS3
To save your curve as a Preset, so it can be utilised later; from the top-right area of the Curves dialogue box, click the following tiny black triangle, and from the
drop-down list, choose Save Preset.
Saving the Curve as a Preset CS and CS2
To save your Curve, click the following Save tab.
CS, CS2 and CS3
After clicking Save Preset, (or Save), a large Save dialogue box will appear. Enter a suitable name into the File name tab, and navigate to Photoshop’s main programme files, then locate the Curves folder - and click Save. Photoshop will then save your Curve Preset - automatically suffixing it with acv. Illustrated by my screen capture here! Photoshop CS and CS2, save your Preset to any folder you wish.
My lesson here demonstrates how to navigate to Photoshop’s main programme folders (with Winsows XP), the instructions are similar to locating the Curves Folder.
Tip
If you wish to save the Curve, permanently; back up the main Curves folder, (or the folder you have saved it to), to an external drive. The Curves folder is located within the Presets folder.
Photoshop CS3
You can access your newly saved Curve from the following Curves Preset menu.
Because there’s no Preset tab in the Curves command box, Photoshop CS and CS2 users should Load a saved Preset - as required.
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When you are completely satisfied with your Solarise effect, click OK.
The M curve then will be applied to your image, and you are ready for the next step.
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To smooth away rough edges the M curve has caused, apply a Soft Focus Effect,
as described in my lesson here. For the Legs.Jpeg, I applied a Gaussian Blur Radius of 2.9. I then Faded the Gaussian Blur by 40%. The amount of Radius, is dependent upon your image’s resolution - and the softness you are seeking.
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If necessary, you can further smooth rough edges using a very low Strength of the Blur Tool. Ensure you blur just the edges. Lesson.
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To finish, from the top menu, choose Layer then choose Flatten Image, and save your work.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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