Posterization, solarization, Color Banding: definition Posterization, also called solarization or color banding, is characterized by a loss of image quality on color gradients. Instead of being smooth and progressive, they appear in the form of successive patches or bands with clearly defined shades.

A posterized image often has the same general appearance, but portions of the original image that presented gradual transitions are replaced by abrupt changes in shading and gradation from one area of tone to another.

How to posterize your images in Photoshop.

1. Upload the file. Select the image you want to posterize in Photoshop.
2. Turn your photo into a smart object. Create a Smart Filter.
3. Posterize. In the top menu, select Image › Adjustments › Posterize.
4. Select the level of posterization.

b : the visual effect produced when an image (such as a print or photograph) has a limited number of tones or colors rather than gradations of tone and color I noticed posterization (the tendency for sudden shifts in color and shading where they should be gradual) in one drawing.— Tony Hoffman.

transitive verb. 1a : to print or display (an image, such as a photograph) with a limited number of tones or colors in a way suggesting or appropriate to a poster You can also go wild with the Equalizer’s advanced modes—posterize the picture, change it to negative, make it black and white … —

Posterized is North American slang derived from an action in the game of basketball, in which the offensive player “dunks” over a defending player in a play that is spectacular and athletic enough to warrant reproduction in a printed poster.

Posterize an image

1. Do one of the following: Click the Posterize icon in the Adjustments panel. Choose Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Posterize. Note: You can also choose Image > Adjustments > Posterize.
2. In the Properties panel, move the Levels slider or enter the number of tonal levels you want.

Posterized is North American slang derived from an action in the game of basketball, in which the offensive player “dunks” over a defending player in a play that is spectacular and athletic enough to warrant reproduction in a printed poster. …

Reduces the number of colors in an image to a set number per color channel, adjustable using the Levels parameter. Adjust this filter using the parameter controls in the Filters Inspector: Levels: Sets the number of levels of posterization.

Posterization occurs across the image, but is most obvious in areas of subtle variation in tone. Posterized photo of a hibiscus. Posterization or posterisation of an image entails the conversion of a continuous gradation of tone to several regions of fewer tones, with abrupt changes from one tone to another.

The best way to ward off posterization is to keep any histogram manipulation to a minimum. Visually inspecting an image is a good way to detect posterization, however the best objective tool is the histogram.

Open the AI file in Photoshop. Apply Posterization again ( Image > Adjustments > Posterization ). This time, I used a value of 16 levels. Save the file as in Photoshop PSD format. Once again, Open the PSD file in Illustrator. Select the image and open the Tracing Options dialogue box.

Separations may be made by density or color, using different exposures. Density separations may be created by printing three prints of the same picture, each at a different exposure time that will be combined for the final image. Typically, posterization is used for tracing contour lines and vectorizing photo-realistic images.