GIMP Bible

Chapter 14. Using Image Creation Filters

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Giving your images depth with light and shadow effects

• Understanding the possibilities that a little noise can provide

• Using render filters for natural image creation

The first section of this chapter covers the fundamentals of light and shadow effects and how they affect your digital images when filtered with GIMP. GIMP's Filters menu runs deep and this chapter covers many of the plug-ins you can use. Of course, you can find many more online within GIMP's Plugin Registry and expand your toolset. I point you in the right direction to get them, so no worries.

GIMP includes three groups of filters that directly relate to lighting and shadow effects. First, you can work with filters that render illumination effects within your image. Second, many script-based shortcuts are available that apply multiple effects for lighting and shadowing features. Third, you can use specific filters such as the Lens Effect filter you'll learn about in this chapter, to apply glass-like effects to an image to emulate many popular digital camera lenses.

Light and Shadow Filters

Light and Shadow filters are useful when you need to change the lighting effect in a digital image. Your work may require the use of shadow effects as well. GIMP includes many filters for adjusting, changing, and filtering out light. All these tools are found within the Filters

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