GIMP Tutorial: Top 5 Photo Enhancement Techniques

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thanks to everyone who helped this video hit 100,000 views!

[@tuna-lx8bf]

How to put color on your tools?

[@terranceeisner8958]

Why can't I click on color balance? what is the very very very very very first step? what do I do?!!!!!!!!!

[@stever2583]

Didn't see you refocus the subject in this video... When did that happen?

[@MykeHawke-r9r]

It is amazing how much this old video is still applicable. Thank you for making it

[@RareTechniques]

*_Enhancement Techniques 101_* 1) How to use the Color Tools - *Color Channels* and *Color Curves* - *Hue* - *Saturation* - Practice using the *Free Select Tool* in order to adjust specific elements of an image 2) How to define complexion of subject - Practice using *Layer Masks* - Gaussian Blur 3) How to whiten teeth and kiss.. I mean, ENHANCE the lips - *Free Select Tool* - Adjust *Levels* - Increase *Saturation* to kiss.. enhance the lips - Use *Colgate* - *Overlay* effect with white color and increase Opacity 4) How to make your subject *stand out* - Using *Contrast Mask* - *Overlay, Overlay, **_Desaturate_* 5) How to enhance the eyes - Draw out the eye-lids - Select Irises - *Saturation* - *Exposure* _Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next time!_

[@astrologystar6060]

Thank you for the list, although I couldn't see much difference in the eyelid enhancement part. I usually draw a thin layer of kohl to make the eyes stand out, and slightly adjust the brightness of iris and the cornea.

[@solarized7124]

use colgate 💀

[@therajatshahare]

While using Free select tool if I select wrong area how can I fix that?

[@therajatshahare]

He did not tell how to de-select the area if selected my mistake. Because for the first time users it's default to draw correctly.

[@nevencuca1680]

Legend! Ty

[@Windsorsillest]

Just want to say thank you! I almost gave up trying to learn how to edit photos in GIMP, then Voila your video pops up on my FYP. Appreciate your time and effort.

[@Antheraws]

Second Tutorial I did through you and man as hard as Graphic Design is to pick it up I must compliment you on how well you direct a tutorial and your voice is so positive and upbeat it took away a lot of the stress while following along.

[@PauloPereira-jj4jv]

"How well" he directs...? The man doesn't have a good voice already and keeps "dancing" with the cursor....😂 And also speaks too fast.

[@garethanthony155]

One of the best tutorials where you can find different techniques all in one place :)

[@TannerCadarette-e2y]

Watched it like 30 times now as I edit my photos. Thank you Davie

[@johncouper4070]

Although much of this is beyond my knowledge set, you explain it so clearly that it helps me learn something new afterwards... keeping notes and pausing makes it much more productive. Also, there's always room to explain more but you do much more than most to show/tell what it's about-- thanks. Nice job and many thanks for offering these.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thanks for the great comment and for watching. I am glad you found it useful and easy to follow, and were able to learn a few new techniques.

[@SimoneTVGF]

Wow, I wish I had learned this sooner. I went for years just using Gimp without any teacher. This is amazing my brain is jumping for joy and doesn't want to sleep anymore before I figured out all the functions. Shhh brain ! lol, thanks so much. I also got your course on Udemy.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thanks for signing up for the course, and glad this tutorial was able to help you out!

[@nicholasphillips7004]

Excellent. Repeated viewing necessary but of huge benefit to all. Well done sir.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thank you!

[@KifKroker]

Next time, can you explain why you do certain things ? like you are changing colors, but what for is kind of missing to me. Make the gras look greener, the girl cuter, ... you clearly know what you are doing, would be useful if you told :)

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

I'm working on incorporating a bit more explanation in my tutorials - but you can also take my photo editing course which has much more explanation on why I do what I do. Thanks for watching!

[@zebbrown1964]

I can recommend the course, I did it and learnt a lot. You can go over each section as often as you like until it all clicks.

[@righttoexplain]

Thanks. @@zebbrown1964

[@shakysugars]

Thanks for the tutorial, maybe to help make these easier to make your cursor bigger and to make slower mouse movements. I just slowed down the video to .75 and it helped alot for everyone yet to use this tutorial. Took me several hours. But i can at least say after this video i have learned a lot. Just takes some time and getting a sense for it. Good luck everyone!

[@CTRL_SMarcos]

Excellent video. A little tip. In min.20:53 to show the before and after, press Shift+left button on the eye of a layer and all others will be turned off. Thank you so much for your help with these videos.

[@viktorweber4162]

Thank you for these great tutorials, they are awesome! Sometimes it's difficult for me to see the effects of the single steps - it would help me, if you could either explain the effect a little bit more or if you would overdue them a little bit to make the effect more visible. E.g. I could not see any change in the picture when you worked with the layer modes hue and saturation.

[@waynemihills4333]

Very informative. I've not used GIMP yet, so this was a helpful video to get my brain working.

[@grassrootedgal]

I love your channel. Thank you so much! One day I will absolutely support ya with a contribution for all the help!

It would be better to have shorter videos focused on one single photo enhancement technique, and explaining why and when to use that technique.

[@johndor7793]

I'm ultra beginner to gimp but I can tell you the easiest thing to accomplish everything what he did cheaply is just gently increase saturation.

[@DreamEaterMusic]

This tutorial saved my life today, thank you so much for creating this dude 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@daniellee6912]

the layer mask confused me but I still understood the concept. Great tutorial

[@dcpwebdesigners]

Great Tutorial - Subscribed - thanks for sharing knowledge :)

[@SSS-ie6mh]

Amazing. How did you manage to make the image look exactly the same after all those transformations??

[@adrian22556]

on 7:33 I tried going to red but all the colors wouldn't let me click on them just the value whys that?

[@raiders13ize]

This is still very useful, thanks man.

[@shater1164]

Thanks Dav, another detailed GIMP tut :)

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thank you!

[@shater1164]

Cheers :)

[@bennoreuter4393]

Thanks for your effort. Unfortunately I do not see a huge difference between before and after.

[@shihan1809]

Great vid, thank you. Just starting out in image manipulation; looks like lots to learn

[@Yourcoachh]

Can you do a video of how to add a photo into a digital backdrop?

[@manoj15395]

Thank you very for the video,I learnt something new from this video and I practiced it along the video!!

[@VDEngineering]

Gonna use these tips for my new online dating profile, thanks!!

[@JAppJohnAndrewPatrickPeters]

So since you removed the subject, what was the purpose of adjusting the entire picture before hand? as i just started gimp, iam always one to ask questions as to why? or what was the purpose lol

[@MrPrahs89]

could you tell how one would go about changing the skin color of a picture. i have a fantasy pic and the girls skin is gray and i want to try giving her some color. i've tried orange on both hue and color mode for painting and neither helped much.

[@jimabaloyan]

Thanks best GIMP tutorial I've seen so far.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ssinop]

Just discovered this tool and I have a question: I have some photo images that are in JPEG format. I want to be able to FLIP some of these images, as they are in the wrong orientation. I literally just downloaded GIMP and while I am able to flip image and make other color modifications, I am having a problem saving the modified file as a JPEG. It does not accept my changes. I am sure that this is probably a basic error, or a misunderstanding of the file types that are unique to GIMP. That being said - is there a simple way to do this with GIMP? Thanks!

[@samedfejzic2465]

Don't click "save" or "save as" instead click "export" and that would be it

[@ssinop]

@Lynfred Rodgers Thanks!

[@redditdidit9616]

Video starts at 1:03. No problem.

[@saraensley7555]

OMG U SAVED MY LIFE

[@only_spencer]

Thank you for this. The first retouch I did doesn't look the best but I'll keep practicing it.

[@VoiceDrew]

Just updated Gimp and it's 10. Woo Hoo!

[@lucianjones4727]

This is some great stuff thanks

[@manuelhecki]

the skin tone looks kind of flat in the end, but thanks for the video, helped me a lot. now we don't want to say too many compliments to avoid it looking artificial :)

[@DiegoGonzalezBriones]

Great Tutorial, Gimp made easy! Thanks for sharing!

[@hot88s23]

Gimp will never be described as 'easy'.

[@trimmingmybush2663]

I'm getting stuck. 1. After creating the layer mask, I click on the background thumbnail and edit curves. Nothing Happens but I see thumbnail face has changed. I undo. Can't seem to edit background. 2. I click the bottom corner "create quick mask" It's not kinda see through like the video, mine is non see-through and only on the outside of my subject mask. Any ideas what I've done wrong?

[@simplegrl]

how are you so good with the free select tool? i thought it was new magnet select feature

[@ginaalsop]

I am struggling. I followed this tutorial several times. On the second section when I try to fill in the skin tone layer, it only works for me about 20% of the time. O can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I have even gone back and made sure I have followed each step. What can I do?

[@ollieestherbliss3327]

Selecting modes at 6:12 I don't have different modes there. How do i get them there (Gimp 2.10) thanks

[@reclaimyourhealth1754]

hi this is just what i needed thank you, I'm looking to sell the same image to a potential customer. just wanted to ask you am I best saving the images to PNG or JPG?

[@droneq8]

Hi...how I apply the same editing to multi photos at the same time for for example time lapse

[@drcmpatel517]

Very nice tutorial. I am an Indian - slow to comprehend and understand your dialect, plus beginner. Your speed of speech and mouse movements are very fast. I had to play video at 50% speed to understand. But best place to learn GIMP. Little slow video and more detailed explanation of every move and tab will be of invaluable help to beginners like us. Thanks. I am your fan.

[@rvallejo27]

It would really help if you explain what you're doing and why you're doing it.

[@picofa3331]

Thank you for the video, it helped a lot! I only have the problem that when I for example change something in color balance and then press OK, the next time I open it, everything is back to zero (while the picture is clearly edited), so I cant reset stuff (except ctrl Z). Any ideas how to fix that?

[@nerasnores1253]

Have you tried exporting the image or saving it before you quit GIMP ... Sometimes the solution can really be basic...

[@rphuntarchive1]

This was great, I'll be checking out some more of your materials.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Awesome - thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy my other tutorials.

[@DJOZER5]

Great vidéo!!🖼️👀💯🔥

[@zoefarris2409]

Unfortunately you did not really show where your mouse icon was when telling us what icon you were using and when I could follow it you were moving over several and I lost track.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

At what part? I'm happy to clarify if I can.

[@dhanushdjgowda5274]

Some tools are not working in 2.10 Do next video with higher version

[@panjo40]

my query is ,with Gimp 2.80 you are able to scan an image prior to editing ,but with Gimp 2.10 there does not seem to be a method of obtaining an image via the scanner to be edited

[@atlock]

Hi amazing video ! Thank you so much! will you please explain what the HUE and SATURATION layers are for while adding contrast mask? what do they do? You do not touch them after making them , hence asking!

[@macmaven5037]

Fantastic. Thank you!

[@accentontheoff]

Hi, I notice you usually combine Darktable with GIMP to (I presume) make a complete photo editing / manipulation suite. Just wondering if that approach would work as well with RAW Therapee instead of Darktable. Or would I be losing out on something important. Thanks.

[@MM-gx3mc]

I'm having issues with the brush. It just stays in the recover with showing what section is brushed. I'm not sure if I missed or messed up a step.

[@Evaquiel]

The final result looked a little unnatural, specially because of the artificial exposure on the darker areas of the model.

[@dhermit4875]

Great info, appreciate you.

[@kendylpieschek3494]

Never used gimp. There are so so many “layers” to learning this, that when you fly through it, I cannot find or follow. I can’t tell you how many times I went back in your video to try the same thing over and over

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Solid pun. Though I wish it was under better circumstances. I will take your comment into consideration for future tutorials, though. I hope you still found it useful!

[@jorg167O]

The new update is awesome !

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

I agree!

[@HarrysHappenings]

Is it possible to remove objects and paint in ? For use of painting composition work?

[@jessicatho]

Great video But how do you get a photo something turned pink when its supposed to be white and the larger item is pink?

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

You may need to use the selection tools to select the item, then either desaturate the item, change the hue, or adjust the color balance.

[@jalonn_6474]

My tools option tab blocks my file tab? I cannot save:/

[@darrenjones4035]

After selecting the model. And making layer mask. It won't change anything using curves. Please help me

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

You may just need to click on the original layer and NOT on the layer mask.

[@Ngpakra]

How to remove noise from images? Plz reply if possible.

[@danamyrmel5818]

When selecting an area with the lasso and I press enter and the area remains selected, when I try to go around another area and press enter. That first are is no longer selected, where in your tutorial they stay selected. Can anyone help? I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem. Thanks

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

You just need to change the mode under the Tool Options for the lasso tool to "Add to the Current Selection."

[@Tanfo77]

Hi! Does gimp have activity recording to where you record a sequence and play it back so I can repeat that sequence for every photo?

[@spidyjob]

why do you have to select none before adjusting ?

[@jorussell918]

Hi the video is a little fast, how do I set the mode to replace the current selection, I cant find it, really appreciated

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

When you have the tool selected, it is under the "Tool Options" (underneath the tools in the toolbox). At the top of the Tool Options you'll see something called "Mode." There are 4 mode options - the first one is Replace the Current Selection.

[@jorussell918]

Thank you so much for getting back to me, I have found it :) :) :) brilliant content, I am not the best of students.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

No problem!

[@stewartdaniels9078]

What to do if the eyes are not fully open wide??? Other than that, killer tutorial, as I started playing with the 'Colors' options due to your tips. Thank You!

[@claudionascimentodesouza3107]

Great content, thanks!

[@fallenarcblade6822]

I currently have the 2.10.8 version, it looks a bit different

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

There were a few changes made between this version and the latest.

[@AlicesonRose]

Great tutorial! my picture looks great, but after I have finished editing and added my watermark, it's not saving the background. I have tried merging the layers, and it still wont save the layer. I'm working with 2.8.22, what can i do to save the background layer?

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

I'm not quite sure what you mean - but are you saving the file as a JPEG file? JPEG files will always save the background as long as the background layer isn't hidden before you save. If you are saving the file as a PNG or GIF with the background layer hidden, it won't save your background.

[@AlicesonRose]

Yes, I am trying to save as a JPEG. After you select the girl in the photo and edit the background, the edited background isnt saving, but the subject of the photo is staying edited into the save. I did nothing more than you did one the tutorial, I followed step by step, but it's just not saving the background layer. I tried starting all over, and redoing the photo edit, but it keeps giving me the same thing.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

You can go to File>Export As to save it as a JPEG, which will save the background layer.

[@frankbiz]

Does this program do things that Photoshop cannot do?

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

For answers to that question, I recommend watching these two tutorials: 5 Things You Didn't Know GIMP Could Do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pam4fqesZZyGr9U 10 Photoshop Features Found in GIMP 2.10: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HFoWSaZa99mZY

[@stewartdaniels9078]

I left Adobe recently (April 2018) because I am a photo hobbyist, opposed to one who makes a living in graphic design/ photography, ect where Adobe products are the industry standard. I wasn't really up for paying monthly (Forever) on a service I used on some weekends, days off, ect, despite it's relatively small cost. It was a nag payment for me. After months of a friend who consistently, irritatingly flouted photos of superior print quality while mocking me because he uses Gimp, he brow beat me into giving Gimp a try. Using Gimp for the first time was upsetting, frustrating because learning curve. Everything looked familiar...but it wasn't. Many KZbin tutorials later, I now have enough Gimp tricks up my sleeve to create a fairly serviceable photo. I enjoy my finished edited photos more, as Gimp makes you more hands-on to achieve your result. Practice makes perfect, and I am still a novice at this point. I do miss creating/ storing PS actions as opposed to Gimp where it seems I must have knowledge of a computer language to create exactly what I need. I am just a humble, lowly user whose career/ free time is light years away from ever learning Python to create a script. I was a major skeptic of 'Free' software, now I donate to the GNU project because it feels far more satisfying than making Adobe payments and . I salute the gentlemen/ women of Gimp who bring so much to the table simply out of love...for free. That said, depending on what you need, there are some drawbacks operating Gimp compared to Adobe products. But, Gimp makes me more involved in my process, as PS mostly did things for me (And very well). As a photo editor, Gimp is very powerful and an excellent weapon in my quest for photo perfection. Still no non-destructive editing, and RAW support is more than a simple drag-and-drop affair, my only two complaints, but it's free, and they are working on it. You have to try it for at least two months to decide if it's what you need. There are many forums/ tutorials/ videos that can help you transition into a Gimp beast. I still miss my giant collection of PS actions (Free, created, and paid) still sitting on the backup drive. Oh well...

[@frankbiz]

@@stewartdaniels9078, Thank you very much for helping me to understand. Yes, it is very nice to have a program like Gimp that one does not have to pay a monthly fee for. I just use CS6 because it was on my iMac when I bought it. It suits me fine but I am always ready to branch out. Keep up your good work!

[@ausdenbergen7206]

Is it possible to "uninvert" an allready existing layermask ?

[@Giggler.]

How do I get the photo up in the first place?

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

File>Open

[@screamphotographic]

HI Michael I shoot Raw so do a lot of my processing in darktable, I'm guessing I wont need to do a lot of this afterwards?

[@pentabitsmusic]

when you said my name is micheal davies i heard micheal babies

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Either one works

[@metathinking]

Went to color and clicked on color balance. Nothing showed up.

[@timeisgold7793]

Nice tutorial thank you

[@Verisetti]

Thanks for video. Can manual be downloaded? I have couple simple question. I want to examine some photos by switching to b/w and change filtering. Ty I am going to send you a pm. :) Hope you can explain it.

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

You can always read the GIMP manual online via this link: www.gimp.org/docs/ ... The GIMP team has not made the GIMP 2.10 manual available for download yet.

[@vannitywinston594]

Great video but definitely not beginner friendly. Too fast (yes I rewinded a thousand times) and not explaining the tools use

[@timeisgold7793]

Sir can u make a video for a plug in calendar of gimp ? Thank you

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

I am not quite sure what you mean - would you mind explaining a bit more what you are looking for? Thanks for watching!

[@shater1164]

Probably she meant for the Calender Maker/Generator plugin on GIMP!

[@timeisgold7793]

+ShaTer yes ma'am /sir ...a plug in calendar for gimp I tried to install but the language settings is not in english

[@therajatshahare]

Gave 2hr to try to edit but can't. It's really really deficult.

[@anilng456]

if you want to teach some , please make everything little slow why this much hurry ??

[@patlab555]

It would have been too long IMO Personnaly I found the pace of this tuto to be at a good speed, not to slow - not to fast. In all cases this is a video = you can backward or pause at any moment...

[@slevenkelevra4750]

change the speed of the video to 0.75

[@lazzyJames]

How slow do you need it. The video is already 20 mins long. Hit that pause button if you can't keep up.

[@Surge_Arrester]

This is up to your brain.., you have to teach it to process the information faster.

[@nowshadk07]

GIMP is best

[@bigguy6439]

Are the keys for life or just one year

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

There are no keys needed - GIMP is totally free. It's not a free trail - it's just always free.

[@fy7345]

Why won't it let me choose color balance?

[@DaviesMediaDesign]

Make sure you are clicked on an active layer (i.e. your main image layer).

[@yokiisk]

Thx 👍

[@salemalmahdi1]

Thank you bro 💜

[@baslielalene4702]

Thanks.

[@mightycreations3182]

Good video

[@zeleniatdq]

Is it funny that I got an “Camera or IPhone ad” before the video started? 😂😂😂 ( idk what it was I just skipped the ad.. )

[@onlythabest2763]

no it isnt

[@cooldog60]

It would be a lot easier to learn how to fly a 747!

[@slayer6857]

nah it would be easier to ride a fly into the sun

[@qbnknc6528]

I felt this but once you get it it's done son

[@sriharijagannath.j4029]

Actually

[@Spencer_G]

Pilot here- this is harder.

[@viewstar9681]

Plz Affinity tutorials buddy? Thnx

[@sajincv]

5 ? i felt some 100 settings were done :(

[@fadinabil8696]

Tough program 😊 right

[@YosemiteBunston]

Well if going for enhancement before creating such things as twitch emotes or other stuff, doing the outlining/dragging doesn't seem to be easy or maybe as easy to do on a TouchScreen Mousepad of a laptop in using gimp whether its the 2.8 version or earlier versions, it seems like it anyways on mine. Anyone else thinks so??