PS noob here many questions. - DPChallenge Forums

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/16/2006 02:38:07 AM · #1

Actually I have GIMP but have no idea where to even start with it. I've never used actual Adobe PS before so any references to it will not help. I've been using Photostudio 5.5 which is what came with my camera. But I've only used it probably only 10% of it's potential. What exactly are layers and how do I use them in post processing? What are some other often used tools on the GIMP program and how do I use them? Thanks alot.

nsbca7

01/16/2006 02:42:54 AM · #2

In answer to your first question. No. Posting twice will not get you twice as many answers.

01/16/2006 02:45:29 AM · #3

Originally posted by nsbca7:

In answer to your first question. No. Posting twice will not get you twice as many answers.

Hey, I'm just trying to get as much information as I can here. If you don't know any answers than you don't have to reply.

Message edited by author 2006-01-16 02:46:16.

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

01/16/2006 02:48:24 AM · #4

start with the very basics.
I started off with the following:

- Contrast & Brightness
- Cropping & Resizing

01/16/2006 02:52:41 AM · #5

Originally posted by crayon:

start with the very basics.
I started off with the following:

- Contrast & Brightness
- Cropping & Resizing

Sorry I probably should have stated what all I do know how to do. I know how to adjust the contrast, brightness and crop and resize. Also adjusting the saturation and hue is one tool that I've recently learned. I just don't know some of the advanced techniques like layering and masking, or whatever else I might be missing that I have no clue about. Thanks for your reply though. :)

photosense

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

01/16/2006 02:55:17 AM · #6

if you do a google for photograph+editing+techniques there are alot of useful sites that show you everything you need to know just about photo editing and what all the things do in the software, this is how i started in editing, but i cant find the site i used.

have a look in the tutorials part here under learn, there maybe some tutorials in there of some good, also every cam magazine these days has tutorials on, they teach you all the basics

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

01/16/2006 03:00:38 AM · #7

Originally posted by A4wheelin:

Oops, hope you aren't offended, because that's what I started off with and still use all the time :) OK, may I suggest you read this tutorial, which states the workflow from beginner to intermediate. I know it is using Photoshop as a guidelines, but GIMP has all the similar tools (I use GIMP too).
Click here for the tutorial

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/16/2006 03:02:38 AM · #8

Originally posted by crayon:

Originally posted by A4wheelin:
Sorry I probably should have stated what all I do know how to do. I know how to adjust the contrast, brightness and crop and resize. Also adjusting the saturation and hue is one tool that I've recently learned. I just don't know some of the advanced techniques like layering and masking, or whatever else I might be missing that I have no clue about. Thanks for your reply though. :)

Oops, hope you aren't offended, because that's what I started off with and still use all the time :) OK, may I suggest you read this tutorial, which states the workflow from beginner to intermediate. I know it is using Photoshop as a guidelines, but GIMP has all the similar tools (I use GIMP too).
Click here for the tutorial

Not offended at all. I appreciate the tips. Thanks for the tutorial as well.

justin_hewlett

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

01/16/2006 03:03:40 AM · #9

Here are some features/tools that I use often:

tools > color tools > levels

To adjust the levels of the image. Very useful to increase contrast and make the image "pop."

image > scale image

To resize the image.

Filter > Enhance > Unsharp Mask

To sharpen up photos. I usually start with a radius of 1 and an amount of '.50'.

Image > canvas size

Can be used in conjunction with 'Image > flatten image' to make a simple border. For example, I often resize the canvas by 10 or so pixels using 'canvas size,' center the extension and then make sure my background color is set to the color I want for my border. Then, flattening the image will replace the transparent pixels with the black background, creating a border.

tools > colors tools > hue/saturation

Can be used to increase the colors in an image or get rid of color altogether.

Filters > colors > channel mixer

The best tool to convert to black and white, hands down.

Let me know if you have any questions, I've become pretty proficient in GIMP after messing around with it extensively. Feel free to PM me if you want.

justin_hewlett

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/16/2006 03:14:56 AM · #10

Here are some nice resources on layers and masking:

Masking
Layers