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1

I'm a complete newbee in photography and in photography editing, but I made a a photo I really like with my phone, and I would like to improve it numerically.

Here is the photo.

enter image description here

I know how to use gimp to fix the exposure and the contrast to get a good result for each of the two parts of the photo (the dark part on the left, and the bright part on the right), but no set of values is good for both sides.

If I select areas and apply different sets of values, the line between the two parts becomes too visible.

What's a good way to solve this issue ? I use gimp, but i'm ready to use any other software.

Thanks.

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That's what feathering a selection is for. I don't use the GIMP (although I try with every new release), so I can't give you a step-by-step, but feathering is all you should need. – Stan Rogers Aug 28 '12 at 21:42
@Samuel, whatever the answer. I would love to see an edit with your final image when you are done. – Xeoncross Aug 29 '12 at 1:05

3 Answers

up vote 10 down vote accepted

Here's a quick and simple way to do it. Your source image is 640 x 480 and a bit hazy so there is no reason to use a more complex solution.

Gimp screenshot

  1. Open your image in GIMP and choose the 'Free Select Tool' F
  2. In the tool options choose 'Feather edges', I chose a 10 pixel radius. follow the top, left and bottom edges and the edge of the curb. Once you have selected the area shown below press CTRL + C then CTRL + V to copy and paste it as a new layer.
  3. Click the green plus sign in the layers dialog to make the copied portion a new layer. Adjust the levels under Color/Levels (from the top menu) of the pasted layer and the base image until you have what you want.
  4. Note the fuzzy edge at the right side of your pasted layer. Once you have both layers' levels where you want them. Right-click on either and select 'Flatten Image'. Then save it. Done.

Here's the one I did as an example. As a side note, if you are able to take the back off of your mobile phone to take the picture you can get significantly clearer images. The hazy effect often comes from the plastic window covering the lens on the battery cover. Remember to hold your battery in place when you take the picture, then put the cover back on. Sounds silly but the improvement is noticeable.

Adjusted photo from OP

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2  
+1 - this is exactly what feathering is for. Nicely put together answer. – ElendilTheTall Aug 29 '12 at 11:54
Didn't know about the "Feather edges" option, tx – Samuel Rossille Aug 29 '12 at 13:22
And many thanks for this very detailed step by step explanation. I didn't even expect that much. – Samuel Rossille Aug 29 '12 at 16:06
@SamuelRossille No problem. Your image is especially well suited to this due to the diagonal line down the middle. If it were a curve this would be a bit more difficult. – Tom Brossman Aug 29 '12 at 16:07
up vote 4 down vote

In gimp, can you create a layer mask that's a gradient? You could then duplicate the layer, apply separate changes to each side and use the mask to blend the 2 together. Basically, you're looking for a way to do a digital graduated filter - but the filter doesn't have to be a simple neutral tone change.

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up vote 2 down vote

I don't know about gimp, but in Photoshop you can create masks based on luminosity.

Start here for a great tutorial. He's made his actions available to download, as well.

http://goodlight.us/writing/luminositymasks/luminositymasks-1.html

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