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Not all images are equal carriers, and the difference decides your method before you generate a single copy. This lab scores any photo on texture and edges.
Bring your weakest pack image: gradients, skies, solid backdrops. The gap between best and worst is your real risk spread.
What the score measures
Texture variance: how much the pixels disagree with each other. Edge density: how many strong gradients cross the frame. Combined into 0-100.
Above 70 carries well. 40-70 is usable with robust methods. Below 40 starves fragile methods: verify with a real round-trip.
How to use it on a real pack
Score five images: your favorite, your flattest, your noisiest, your darkest, one client export. Assign methods by tier, not by hope.
Weak carriers are not failures. They are the reason robust methods exist. Knowing is the entire point.
Takeaways
- Texture and edges are hiding space; flat gradients starve fragile methods.
- Score your weakest pack image, not your favorite.
- Weak carriers need robust methods plus a verification round-trip.
Check yourself
Optional, local, instant. 0/2 answered.
- Which image starves fragile methods?
- A carrier score of 30 means…
For your niche
Creamy bokeh backgrounds score low despite gorgeous subjects. Foreground texture still carries. Check both zones mentally.
Bedroom walls and plain backdrops are classic weak carriers. Shoot one textured set per pack as your tracing anchor.
Flat fills score low, inked linework scores high. A signature or line-art border doubles as hiding space.