Use this plugin to quickly make an HDR image in GIMP.
Said another way, HDR captures greaterlightingdetails at both the light and dark ends of the spectrum.
HDR allows photographers to combine differences in exposure that occur over depths of field.
Greg Osadchuk / Getty Images
There are a few ways to produce an HDR image in GIMP.
Here we cover how to make an HDR image in GIMP using the Exposure Blend plugin.
drop in the Exposure Blend Plugin
First download a copy of theExposure Blend plugin.
After downloading the plugin, you will need to place it in the Scriptsfolder of your GIMP installation.
you’re able to find oath instructions for a Mac devicehere.
You will need three identical images with three scaling exposures.
On the GIMP menu, navigate toFilters>Photography>Exposure Blend.
Next to theNormal Exposurelabel, navigate to your image files and selectOpen.
Select theShort ExposureandLong Exposureimages in the same way.
Once the three images are selected, select OK.
The plugin will begin running.
These images combine to produce a complete photo with a wide dynamic range.
In HDR software,Tone Mappingwould be applied to the image to strengthen the effect.
That isn’t an option here, but there are some ways to improve the image.
Often at this stage, the HDR photo can appear a little flat.
In the layers palette, select a layer and adjust theOpacityslider to see how the brightness is affected.
How to Increase Contrast
From the menu bar, selectLayer>New Layerto add a new layer.
Press theDkey to set the default foreground and background colors to black and white, respectively.
From the menu bar, selectEdit>Fill with FG Color.
In theLayerspalette, change theModeof this new layer toSoft Light.
you’re able to see theModecontrol marked in the accompanying image.
Add another new layer.
Fill this layer with white by navigating toEdit>Fill with BG Colorand again changing theModetoSoft Light.
You should now see a strengthened image contrast for the two layers.
you’ve got the option to tweak the setting by adjusting the opacity of the two layers.
For an even stronger effect, duplicate one or both of the layers.
