Give you dull images some extra light

Final result.

Gimp Tutorial: Add some extra light to your dull images

Before.

Before

Step 1: A Gradient to get a subtle light point.

Open the photo you want to give some extra light in Gimp.
Add a new (transparent) layer.
Set the foreground color to white and the background color to mid gray (808080).
Activate the blend tool.
Set the the following blend tool option.
Gradient: FG to BG
Shape: Radical
Now draw the gradient so you get something like this. To get the nicest result make sure the center of the gradient is close to an eye.

Draw a radial gradient

Step 2: The extra light effect

Change the blend mode of the gradient layer to Value. And you’ll get this strange effect.

Blend mode Value

Duplicate the background layer and place it on top of the gradient layer.
Change the blend mode of the duplicated layer to Addition and you’ll get this.

Blend mode to addition

Duplicate this layer again and change the blend mode to Multiply.

Blend mode to multiply

Step 3: Only if the result isn’t good enough

Sometimes the contrast becomes to big. The whites are to bright and the blacks to dark.

Duplicate the top layer and set the blend mode to normal.
And lower the opacity to 10-20.

Extra Light

4 Comments »

  1. Gravatar Icon playez
    September 29th 09

    hello!

    First i want to thank you for your work!
    But, this time i obtain the same result only if i use “Value” for
    gradient layer.
    Very useful tips, anyway!

    [Reply]

    admin Reply:

    Thanks for your comment. I indeed made a mistake. It should be Value and not Addition. I changed it in de text.

    [Reply]

  2. Gravatar Icon Trackback gimp.wisdomplug.com
    November 2nd 09

    Gimp Tutorial – Give you dull images some extra light…

    Tired of old dull photos? Give your photos a face lift with this Gimp Tutorial that explains how to give your dull images some extra light….

  3. Gravatar Icon tmk
    December 1st 09

    Thanks for your tutorials! I’m new at Gimp and am learning a lot! One thing in general, I was wondering about: Does the kerneling and the font color bother any one else? It makes it difficult for me to read. I have to select with my mouse in order to make the font color more dark…. ? I don’t mean to be picky, but it seems difficult to read.

    [Reply]

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