Kodalith Effect Tutorial

[ljameso1]

Kodalith Tutorial
By Linda Jameson


1) Make a duplicate of your image and close original.
2) Command (control for pc)+ J to copy background layer.
3) Use whatever method you prefer to convert this new layer to b & w.
4) Go to enhance>lighting>levels. Move black (left hand) slider to right until as much turns solid black as you want, Then move white (right hand) slider to left until it overlaps the black slider. Layer should now be solid b&w with no grays.
5) Change layer blend mode to multiply.
6) Command +J to copy this layer.
7) With the new layer active go to filter>stylize>glowing edges. Use 4 for edge width and move the other 2 sliders all the way to right. Click ok.
8) Change layer blend mode to screen and Voila! Use eraser tool to remove glows from areas don’t want rim effect.

An alternative way to achieve rim lighting is after step 5 flatten image. Make a selection of the areas would like rim effect, and control/command+J to put selection on new layer. Under edit>stroke selection; choose a 2-4 pixel stroke in white outside. Can then use eraser to remove stroke from areas don’t want. This is harsher and works better on buildings.

Kodalith is a high contrast black and white positive film. This creative effect used to be made by making a contact image of a color slide onto the film in the chemical darkroom and then sandwiching the two slightly off register to achieve a rim light (bas relief). It has the most effect on colors in the red/green spectrum. Any light areas go completely black.

[jenclark]

Linda,

Do you have a picture done with this effect that you can post to show it off? It sound very interesting and I'm not familiar with it.

[ljameso1]

Jen, Follow my signature to my gallery. The picture of the columbine flower was done with this technique.

[JuliaM]

Linda,

I just checked out the example in your gallery. Cool effect!

JuliaM