Discovering The GIMP

Installation

Getting started

Colour selection

Perspective correction

Cloning an image

Step by step: editing an image

Step by step: editing an image

1. Adjust the histogram. To fix an image which is blown out, adjust the levels in the image. Choose Tools, Color Tools, Levels and adjust the Input slider values. Drag the left and right sliders under the starting points of the histogram and adjust the middle slider for the best results.
 
2. Convert to black and white. To convert a colour image to and white, choose Image, Mode, Grayscale and the image will be automatically desaturated. To work on the image again in colour you must take the image back to a colour mode and, to do this, choose Image, Mode, RGB.
 
3. Subtle recolouring. To create a more attractive desaturated image – one where the colours can still be subtly seen, first duplicate the image using Layer, Duplicate Layer. In the Layer palette, select the top layer and convert it to black and white using Layer, Colors, Desaturate. Now set the top layer blend mode to Darken only and reduce the opacity so some of the underlying colour comes through.
 
4. Making a selection. To create a blurred background effect to suggest a short depth of field, select around the area to blur using a selection tool like the freehand selection tool. Drag around it and, to add to the area, hold the Shift key as you select another area to add to it. To feather the selection, choose Select, Feather, set a value and click Ok.
 
5. Add a blur. To blur the selected areas, choose Filters, Blur, RLE Gaussian Blur. Set the values to use and click Ok. If the effect is too much or too little, choose Edit, Undo and repeat the effect this time with different settings.
 
6. Artistic effects. To apply an artistic effect, choose Filters, Artistic, GIMPressionist and choose a Preset such as Embroidery. Click the Update button in the preview area to view it. Then use the tab options to configure subtle changes to the effect and click Update to view the changes to check how they look.