book

GIMP 2.8 for Photographers

Name: GIMP 2.8 for Photographers
Author: Klaus Goelker
ISBN: 9781457181900

by Klaus Goelker

May 2013

Beginner

400 pages

10h 58m

English

Rocky Nook

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Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
1 Basics
1.1 Preface1.2 Introduction1.2.1 Using GIMP 2.8—About This Book1.2.2 About GIMP 2.8Image EditingVideo Editing1.2.3 Overview of the Most Important Improvements and Changes in GIMP 2.81.3 Introduction to Digital Image Editing1.3.1 Characteristics of Pixel ImagesProblems with Pixel Images1.3.2 Resolution1.3.3 Screen Colors—Color Models and GEGL, the New Graphics LibraryIndexed ColorsThe CMYK Color Model—Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black)1.3.4 Important File Formats for Practical WorkXCF: GIMP’s Native File FormatPSD: Adobe Photoshop’s Native File FormatPNG: Portable Network GraphicsJPG/JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts GroupGIF: Graphics Interchange FormatBMP: Windows BitmapTIF/TIFF: Tagged Image File FormatDNG: Adobe’s Digital NegativePDF: Portable Document Format1.4 Loading and Managing Digital Photos on the Computer1.4.1 Using the Operating System’s File Management Tools to Import Images from a Camera1.4.2 Using Wizards to Import Images1.4.3 Using the Operating System’s File Management to Organize Photo Collections1.4.4 Helpers: Image Management Programs for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X1.4.5 Converting Camera RAW Image Formats under Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux: Freeware and Plug-Ins1.5 Get GIMP Running1.5.1 Where Can I Get GIMP?1.5.2 Installing GIMP and Plug-InsInstalling GIMP under WindowsInstalling GIMP under Mac OS XGIMP and LinuxExpanding GIMP: Plug-ins and Script-Fus—Additional Program FunctionsInstalling GIMP Plug-insStarting GIMP for the First Time1.5.3 Is GIMP Insecure? Some Comments and TipsThe Worst Case1.5.4 The GIMP’s Program Windows1.5.5 Using and Customizing the Program Interface—Important MenusProgram Settings for the Undo HistoryThe Toolbox1.5.6 Real Help—GIMP’s Help FunctionUsing the Help Function
2 Using GIMP: Correcting and Touching Up Your Images
2.1 Working with GIMP: Image Adjustment and Retouching2.1.1 Opening, Setting, and Storing an Image: The Steps2.1.2 Opening an Image2.1.3 The Image Window—Your Workspace2.1.4 Rotating an Image by Fixed Values2.1.5 Changing the Image View Size (Zooming)2.1.6 Cropping (Clipping) an ImageCropping with the Crop ToolCropping the Image by Numeric Input with the Image > Canvas Size OptionThe Procedure2.1.7 Setting the Image Size and Resolution2.1.8 Scaling the Print Size of Images—Converting Resolution and Size2.1.9 Saving Your Image2.1.10 Before Printing—Calibrating Monitors and Color ManagementEssential Monitor SettingsSelecting a Ready-Made Color ProfileAdjusting the Display with a Calibrating ProgramColor Management in GIMP2.1.11 Printing Images2.2 Working with Scanned Images2.2.1 Prerequisites for Scanning2.2.2 How Scanners Work2.2.3 Problems When Scanning Printed Originals—the Moiré Effect2.2.4 Calculations to Consider before ScanningSelecting a ResolutionFormula for the Scanning ResolutionExample2.2.5 Scanning and Editing an ImageThe Procedure2.2.6 Typical Errors in Scanned Images2.2.7 Setting the Image and Determining the Angle—Measuring2.2.8 Rotating an Image—Using the Rotate ToolRotate a Layer, Selection, or Path2.2.9 Cropping an Image—the Crop Tool2.2.10 Using the Gaussian Blur Filter to Remove the Moiré Effect2.3 Adjusting and Improving Color and Exposure2.3.1 Levels (Tonality Correction)2.3.2 CurvesThe Options of the Function CurvesUsing the Gradation Curve to Correct the TonalityUsing the Gradation Curve to Set the BrightnessShadows-Highlights—Correcting Backlit Photographs with the Gradation CurveSolarization Effects with Gradation Curves2.3.3 Adjusting Hue and Saturation2.3.4 Overview of the Functions in the Image > Colors Menu2.3.5 Saving an Image in Compressed Format (JPG/JPEG) for the InternetExporting to JPEGSettings for Advanced Options2.4 Touchup Work 1—Color Casts2.4.1 What Is Touchup Work?How Are Color Casts Created?2.4.2 Color Correction Options2.4.3 Using the Levels Function to Correct Color Casts2.4.4 A Second Method of Removing Color Casts—Color Balance2.5 Touchup Work 2—Removing Spots, Dust, and Scratches2.5.1 Why You Need Smooth Brushes—the Clone Tool2.5.2 Creating New Brush Pointers in GIMP and Importing Adobe Photoshop BrushesImporting Brush Pointers from Adobe Photoshop into GIMP2.5.3 Selecting the Clone Tool Options2.5.4 Using the Clone Tool for Touchup WorkCollecting Image Information and Adding It to the ImageChanging Brush and ViewUndoing a Step2.5.5 The Healing Tool2.6 Performing Magic—Editing Photographs with Graphic Filters2.6.1 Sharpening Images and Image ElementsThe Sharpen FilterThe Unsharp Mask Filter2.6.2 Noise Reduction and “Smoothening” ImagesThe Despeckle FilterThe Filter Selective Gaussian BlurThe NL FilterRemoving Dust and Other Small Irregularities2.6.3 Simulating Film Grain—Covering Up Blemishes with Noise and PixelsCovering Up BlemishesCovering Up Images with Noise
3 Using Masks and Layers—Painting, Filling, and Color Tools
3.1 Introduction to Masks and Selections3.1.1 Overview of Select Tools in the Toolbox3.1.2 Tips for Handling Select Tools3.1.3 The Select Menu3.1.4 The Edit Menu3.2 Touchup Work 3—Removing Red Eyes3.2.1 Avoiding Red Eye—Using the Flash Correctly3.2.2 Eliminating the Red-Eye Effect3.3 Introduction to Working with Layers3.3.1 The Layers Dialog3.3.2 The Context Menu in the Layers Dialog3.3.3 Background or Layer with an Alpha Channel3.3.4 Working with Several Images—Inserting Layers from Another Image3.4 Touchup Work 4—Correcting Overexposed or Underexposed Images3.4.1 The Mode Settings in the Layers Dialog3.4.2 Editing Overexposed Images3.4.3 Editing Underexposed Images3.5 Touchup Work 5—Using Perspective Correction to Remove Converging Verticals3.5.1 Trying to Avoid Converging Verticals When Taking Shots3.5.2 Steps Involved and Description of Work3.5.3 Removing Converging Verticals from an ImageTransform Tool Options3.5.4 Removing Lens Distortion, Making Perspective Corrections, and Reducing Vignetting3.5.5 The Perspective Clone ToolCopying Image Content and Inserting the Image in the Correct PerspectiveThe Procedure3.6 Touchup Work 6—Freshening Up a “Dull Sky”3.6.1 Steps Involved and Description of Work3.6.2 Step 1: Selecting an Area by Color, Deleting It, and Replacing It with Color FillSelect Tool OptionsExample: Select by Color ToolThe Color Picker Tool—Using the Eyedropper to Select a Foreground Color from the ImageThe Color Area in the ToolboxThe Change Foreground Color WindowThe Bucket Fill ToolCreating a Sky Graphically—the Difference Clouds Filter3.6.3 Step 2: Creating and Positioning an Image Object on a New LayerPositioning Layers and Objects with the Move ToolThe Move Tool Options3.6.4 Step 3: Creating a Multicolor Sky—the Blend ToolCreating a Gradient—the Gradient Select and Gradient Editor WindowsThe Blend Tool OptionsUsing the Blend ToolPainting with the Blend ToolThe Gradient Map Filter3.6.5 Step 4: Adding a New Object or Layer (Sky) to an ImageTransformations—Scaling a Layer3.7 Typing in GIMP—Adding Text to an Image3.7.1 Introduction to Fonts3.7.2 Typing in GIMP—the Text Tool3.7.3 Typing Text and Defining the Text Attributes3.7.4 Creating Three-Dimensional Text and a Drop ShadowUsing the Text Tool and Drop Shadow—a Practical ExerciseThe Script-Fu Layer Effects3.8 Creating Your Own Image Frames and Vignettes3.8.1 Single-Color Image FramesThe Procedure3.8.2 Creating a Frame with a PatternThe Procedure3.8.3 Vignettes for Images
3.9 Creating and Editing Image Elements—Lighting Effects and Shadow Layers
3.9.1 Overview of Step 1—Creating a New Image and New Image Objects3.9.2 Creating a New Image3.9.3 Transforming a Selection3.9.4 Using the Paintbrush Tool to Create Lighting and Shadow Effects: Glazing Technique3.9.5 Inserting and Duplicating Layers and Layer Groups3.9.6 Changing the Color of an Image Object—the Hue-Saturation Function3.10 Extracting Image Objects with Select and Masking Tools3.10.1 The Polygon Lasso and Intelligent Scissors Select Tools3.10.2 Extracting a Wine Glass with the Polygon LassoThe Procedure3.10.3 Creating a Selection with the Polygon Lasso, Following a Contour3.11 Using the Paths Tool to Create Vector Forms and Selections—Using Filters for Light Effects3.11.1 Copying a Wine Glass and Creating a Drop Shadow—Overview of the Steps Involved3.11.2 Creating and Editing a Path—the Design Editing Mode3.11.3 The Path Editing Mode3.11.4 The Paths Dialog3.11.5 Transforming Paths—the Shear Tool3.11.6 Creating Lighting Effects with Brushes and FiltersConstructing Light Reflections with PathsPainting Light Reflections with Star-Shaped PaintbrushesCreating Light Reflection with FiltersThe Lighting Effects FilterThe Lens Flare Filter3.11.7 Paths and TextText along PathCreate Path from Text3.12 Aligning Images—the Alignment Tool3.13 The Cage Transform Tool3.14 Cross-Fading with Masks and Selections3.14.1 Cross-Fading Part 1—Cross-Fading Two Images with Two Different MotifsThe Procedure3.14.2 The Canvas and Canvas Size3.14.3 Cross-Fading Part 2—Assembling Panoramic ImagesPanoramic PhotosThe Procedure3.14.4 Programs for Creating Panoramas Automatically3.15 Composites—Using Masks and Selections to Cut and Paste Image Objects3.15.1 Copying an Image Object with the Help of a Selection and Inserting It into Another Image—the Procedure3.15.2 The Mode Options in the Layers Dialog3.15.3 The Foreground Select Tool—Extracting Images Automatically3.15.4 Drawing a Mask Using Paint Tools with Various Edge AttributesExtracting an Image Object with the Help of a Painted MaskThe Procedure3.16 GIMP and HDR3.16.1 What Is HDR?3.16.2 HDR SoftwareFreeware Programs for Creating HDR Images3.16.3 Cross-Fading Part 3—Merging Images into One Pseudo HDRThe Procedure3.16.4 A Short Introduction to Working with Layer MasksThe Procedure
4 Working with Black-and-White and Color Images
4.1 Converting Color Images Partly or Entirely into Grayscale Images4.1.1 Hints for Working in Grayscale and RGB Modes4.1.2 Removing Color Partly or Entirely4.1.3 Developing Black-and-White Images with the Channel Mixer4.1.4 The Graphical Library GEGL—Developing Black-and-White Images with GEGL Operations4.1.5 Converting Images into Black-and-White Graphics4.1.6 Graphic Effects with Gray Levels—an Example4.1.7 Partial Desaturation4.1.8 Infrared Effects4.2 Touching Up Black-and-White Images—Levels, Brightness, Contrast4.3 Extracting Hair from the Background—a Tricky Task4.3.1 The Threshold Function4.3.2 Using the Threshold Function to Extract Hair—the Task4.3.3 Using Channels to Extract an Object from the BackgroundWhat Are Channels?Decomposing and Composing the Channels of an ImageThe Channels DialogUsing Channels to Extract Hair from the Background—the Procedure4.4 Coloring Grayscale Images4.4.1 Using the Colorize Function to Color an Image4.4.2 Using the Levels Function to Color an Image4.4.3 Using the Curves Function to Color an Image with One or More Colors4.4.4 Using the Colorify Filter to Color an Image4.4.5 Using Transparency and the Colorize Filter to Color Image Areas by Brightness4.4.6 Using the Sample Colorize Function to Color an Image4.4.7 Using Filters to Color and Bleach an Image4.5 “Hand-Colored” Images from Black-and-White Photos
5 Working with Other File Formats
5.1 Opening and Processing RAW-Format “Digital Negatives”5.1.1 Capturing and Processing RAW Image Files5.1.2 GIMP and UFRaw5.1.3 Working with UFRaw5.1.4 Features and Elements of UFRaw’s Main WindowThe RAW Color HistogramSpot ValuesExposureWB White BalanceSpot White BalanceInterpolationWavelet DenoisingHot PixelsDark Frame SubtractionGrayscaleLens CorrectionBase CurveColor Management Using Color ProfilesCorrecting Luminosity and SaturationLightness Adjustments (Adapting Image Brightness)Crop and RotateSaving Your ImageEXIFLive HistogramOptions Under the Preview Window of UFRawThe Zoom ToolDeleteCancelSaveSend image to GIMP5.1.5 RawTherapee for Developing RAW Images5.2 Using the PDF Format to Share Print Layouts5.2.1 Opening PDF Files in GIMP5.2.2 Using GIMP to Create PDFs5.2.3 Free Alternative PDF Creation and Viewing Software5.3 PSD Files5.3.1 Opening Adobe PSD Files in GIMP5.3.2 PSD Files Exported from GIMP and Opened in Photoshop

Appendix
A.1 The IWarp Filter— a Closing CommentA.2 So Far, So Good—How to Proceed from Here: Tips and ReferencesA.3 The Future of GIMPA.3.1 Downloading and Installing Developer’s Versions of GIMPA.4 Thank You!A.5 Further Reading on GIMP: ReferencesA.6 What’s on the DVDA.7 Native GIMP File Formats
Index

Content preview from GIMP 2.8 for Photographers

1 Basics

1.1 Preface

A good seven years have passed since the first publication of my book GIMP 2 for Photographers. In the meantime, GIMP 2.8 has become available. The latest version includes several important changes and a new single-window operating mode. In addition, the Text tool has been significantly improved and the new Cage Transform tool enables you to transform individually selected parts of an image. Layers can now be grouped, and the painting and drawing tools have been given a range of new settings and functions. An overview of these changes is included in section 1.2.3.

The program’s switch to the GEGL library is nearly finished ...

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GIMP 2.8 for Photographers

by Klaus Goelker