GIMP: Monochrome Photo Editing

7 months ago (Edited)

My goal is to cover some the basics of using the GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP). It is a free and open-source software (FOSS) project. "Free" in this sense doesn't mean "gratis," although there is no fee to download or use it. It means "libre," as in do whatever you want with it. There is no massive End-User License Agreement full of legalese and gotcha clauses. Instead, the FAQ page offers this simple breakdown.

GIMP is distributed under terms of General Public License v3 and later. In a nutshell, this means:

You are free to use GIMP, for any purpose

You are free to distribute GIMP

You can study how GIMP works and change it

You can distribute changed versions of GIMP

The official download page is here. If you use Windows, I recommend the direct download installer or the link to the Windows app store to get it without any 3rd party nonsense. Mac users just need to know whether they have Intel architecture or Apple Silicon and select the appropriate direct download. Linux users, I assume you know what to do. Some distros have a software downloading tool like an app store. If you have a Debian-based system, especially an Ubuntu flavor, use this terminal command:

 sudo apt install gimp

I can run this on my Raspberry Pi 4, so hardware is not much of a concern. FOSS tends to have minimal system requirements, and big projects with a lot of community support have probably been updated to run on almost everything. In any case, follow the installer prompts and you should be good to go.

After launching GIMP, there are two options for opening a project: click File and then click Open in the drop-down menu, or type Ctrl+O for the keyboard command shortcut. Either way, a file browser opens where you can choose an image on your computer to edit. I'll be using the first photo from my post a couple weeks back called Late Afternoon at the Lake. Feel free to save it to your computer and open it in GIMP to follow along.

There are a lot of tools we're not using for this project. To make a photo monochrome, open the Colors drop-down menu and click Saturation. You can move the slider to the right to enhance colors, or move it left to mute them. Slide it all the way left to 0.000 and it will be entirely grayscale.

Follow the menus thusly...

Wrong way! Too much!

And that's a basic edit done. However, there are a few more easy tweaks to make under the same Colors menu. If it doesn't look quite right, try the tools to adjust the exposure, shadows-highlights, and brightness-contrast levels. Use the up and down arrow keys on your keyboard for fine adjustments in each slider, or use your mouse to yank them around and see what happens, or even type a specific numerical value in each option. The screen will show a preview of all settings as you experiment, but nothing is confirmed until you click the OK button.

I recommend making only small adjustments. Once the image looks good to you, it's time to export. Just saving the project saves it as a, well, project. GIMP uses an .xcf file format to store your project in all its detail including layers, paths, transparency, and other stuff we aren't even dealing with. To get an image file you can post to HIVE, send in an e-mail, or whatever else you want to do, you need to export it.

You can use the menus by selecting File and Export As... or use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Ctrl+E to open the export menu. It will probably default to .jpg, but you can choose other formats. I prefer .png for higher quality and the option to play with transparency. More on that in a future installment of this series, perhaps, if this becomes one.

Resist the urge to just overwrite the original. I know you see the option there, right above the Export As... Ignore it! I recommend leaving the source file alone as a backup archive or for future projects.

Was any of this useful? Are you ready to dive into the world of image editing with the confidence to experiment now that you know where a few specific tools are hidden? What would you like me to cover next? I've only scratched the surface of what this program can do, but I can probably answer questions about basic editing.

HIVE | PeakD | Ecency | LEO

If you're not on Hive yet, I invite you to join through InLeo or PeakD. If you use either of my referral links, I'll even try to delegate some Hive Power to help you get started.

gimp tutorial foss software photography editing blackandwhite monochrome

0.000

19 comments

@jackjackson2nd 52

7 months ago

great post about a great app, gimp & also krita r the best open source apps n the field & have much support & much users -hence u can find videos on youtube that explain how to use both apps,such FOSS apps r amazing when they have much support & i often use such apps, i know someone who is a pro n gimp & i can tell that the app has much capabilities, "Linux users, I assume you know what to do" haha true story, raspberry pi is also amazing- i'm thinking about getting a raspberry pi 5 8gb ram edition. again great post- well done, have a good day

0.000

@bpcvoter3 -8

7 months ago

from Imgflip Meme Generator

ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT !LOL

https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/activities

https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/wallet

Withdraw vesting from @buildawhale to @ipromote4513.185 HIVE
12 days ago

Received: 2,320,284 HP
@blocktrades 2,320,227 HP Aug 16, 2020
@nwjordan 24 HP May 27, 2018
@gillianlienmap 23 HP Aug 18, 2020
@epicgames 6 HP Jul 2, 2019
@drax

https://peakd.com/@usainvote/wallet

Received: 569,089 HP
@blocktrades 569,074 HP Aug 16, 2020
@windkc

https://peakd.com/@usainvote/comments

https://peakd.com/@gogreenbuddy/activities

https://peakd.com/@gogreenbuddy/wallet

Delegated: 15,775 HP
Search
@ssg-community 15,136 HP Jul 29, 2024
@justclickindiva 614 HP Sep 29, 2023
@panjob 21 HP Aug 1, 2022
@dembowy1990 2 HP Mar 15, 2021
@cnbuddy-reward 1 HP Feb 28, 2020
Received: 119 HP
@vpaulus

https://peakd.com/@punkteam/wallet

Sent to gogreenbuddy-7.195 HIVE
Sep 2, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-44.987 HIVE
Oct 5, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-3.851 HBD
Nov 17, 2023
Sent to gogreenbuddy-118.354 HIVE
Nov 17, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-3.155 HBD
Dec 26, 2023
Sent to gogreenbuddy-497.127 HIVE
Dec 26, 2023

https://peakd.com/@ipromote/wallet

Sent to alpha-4,288.000 HIVE
2 days ago
Received from beeswap.fees28.203 HIVE
2 days ago
beeswap fees... APR: 10%, value: 100000
Withdraw vesting from @stemgeeks to @ipromote0.000 HIVE
3 days ago

Sent to alpha-4,388.000 HIVE
9 days ago
Received from beeswap.fees35.749 HIVE
9 days ago
beeswap fees... APR: 13%, value: 100000
Withdraw vesting from @stemgeeks to @ipromote0.000 HIVE
10 days ago
Withdraw vesting from @proposalalert to @ipromote1.191 HIVE
10 days ago

Sent to themarkymark-100.000 HIVE
8 days ago

https://peakd.com/@alpha/wallet

STOP THE ABUSE !DOOK STOP THE SMOKING !WEED STOP THE #BUILDAWHALEFARM #BUILDAWHALESCAM @GOGREENBUDDY !LOL 2

Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040130z by buildawhale with 100%
5 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040047z by buildawhale with 100%
5 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040014z by buildawhale with 100%
6 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040025z by buildawhale with 100%
6 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040119z by buildawhale with 100%
6 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040036z by buildawhale with 100%
6 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040140z by buildawhale with 100%
7 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040151z by buildawhale with 100%
7 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040057z by buildawhale with 100%
7 hours ago
Commented on re-leothreads-2c3bax34q by themarkymark
8 hours ago
monkmasters voted re-leothreads-2c3bax34q by themarkymark with 3%
8 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040108z by buildawhale with 100%
8 hours ago
Voted re-1731211203190312433-20241110t040202z by buildawhale with 100%
8 hours ago
Voted re-1730713270197 by hivebuzz with -0.07%
8 hours ago
Voted notify-1730705637 by hivebuzz with -0.11%
8 hours ago
Voted keyeq by bilpcoinbpc with -0.13%
8 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040201z by buildawhale45.001 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040151z by buildawhale51.108 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040140z by buildawhale46.808 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040129z by buildawhale53.213 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040118z by buildawhale48.457 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040107z by buildawhale49.410 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040056z by buildawhale44.548 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040045z by buildawhale52.272 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040035z by buildawhale47.730 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040024z by buildawhale49.650 HP
9 hours ago
Curation reward for re-1730606402606869425-20241103t040013z by buildawhale45.472 HP
9 hours ago

https://peakd.com/@themarkymark/activities

STOP THE BUILDAWHALE SCAM FARM lol 84

Posted using Bilpcoin

0.000

@meesterboom 81

7 months ago

I used to be a big fan of the old Gimp when I used Photoshop as it was so much less intensive on the system resources. I haven't used it in years but it looks as if the UI is better than it used to which is good

0.000

@bpcvoter3 -8

7 months ago

from Imgflip Meme Generator

ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT !LOL

https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/activities

https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/wallet

Withdraw vesting from @buildawhale to @ipromote4513.185 HIVE
12 days ago

Received: 2,320,284 HP
@blocktrades 2,320,227 HP Aug 16, 2020
@nwjordan 24 HP May 27, 2018
@gillianlienmap 23 HP Aug 18, 2020
@epicgames 6 HP Jul 2, 2019
@drax

https://peakd.com/@usainvote/wallet

Received: 569,089 HP
@blocktrades 569,074 HP Aug 16, 2020
@windkc

https://peakd.com/@usainvote/comments

https://peakd.com/@gogreenbuddy/activities

https://peakd.com/@gogreenbuddy/wallet

https://peakd.com/@punkteam/wallet

Sent to gogreenbuddy-7.195 HIVE
Sep 2, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-44.987 HIVE
Oct 5, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-3.851 HBD
Nov 17, 2023
Sent to gogreenbuddy-118.354 HIVE
Nov 17, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-3.155 HBD
Dec 26, 2023
Sent to gogreenbuddy-497.127 HIVE
Dec 26, 2023

https://peakd.com/@ipromote/wallet

Sent to alpha-4,288.000 HIVE
2 days ago
Received from beeswap.fees28.203 HIVE
2 days ago
beeswap fees... APR: 10%, value: 100000
Withdraw vesting from @stemgeeks to @ipromote0.000 HIVE
3 days ago

Sent to themarkymark-100.000 HIVE
8 days ago

https://peakd.com/@alpha/wallet

STOP THE ABUSE !DOOK STOP THE SMOKING !WEED STOP THE #BUILDAWHALEFARM #BUILDAWHALESCAM @GOGREENBUDDY !LOL 2

https://peakd.com/@themarkymark/activities

STOP THE BUILDAWHALE SCAM FARM lol 84

Posted using Bilpcoin

0.000

@jacobtothe 76

7 months ago

They made some major UI changes a while back. It's worth a look. I don't care how good proprietary software is when companies like Adobe have such sketchy terms and conditions to use it.

0.000

@meesterboom 81

7 months ago

Yeah, Adobe ruined it when they went online and subscription based.

I will definitely check it out

0.000

@jacobtothe 76

7 months ago

Someone else mentioned Krita. I haven't played with it much, but it might be up your artistic alley too.

0.000

@meesterboom 81

7 months ago

I have heard of that one but thought it was for 3D or similar. Will have to do a Google!

0.000

@jacobtothe 76

7 months ago

It's a bit more like Corel Paint or other 2d image and animation programs. Blender is the FOSS 3D GOAT.

0.000

@meesterboom 81

7 months ago

Ah yeah, blender is renowned! For 3D it sings you can't touch this... 😃

0.000

@bpcvoter3 -8

7 months ago

from Imgflip Meme Generator

ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT !LOL

https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/activities

https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/wallet

Withdraw vesting from @buildawhale to @ipromote4513.185 HIVE
12 days ago

Received: 2,320,284 HP
@blocktrades 2,320,227 HP Aug 16, 2020
@nwjordan 24 HP May 27, 2018
@gillianlienmap 23 HP Aug 18, 2020
@epicgames 6 HP Jul 2, 2019
@drax

https://peakd.com/@usainvote/wallet

Received: 569,089 HP
@blocktrades 569,074 HP Aug 16, 2020
@windkc

https://peakd.com/@usainvote/comments

https://peakd.com/@gogreenbuddy/activities

https://peakd.com/@gogreenbuddy/wallet

https://peakd.com/@punkteam/wallet

Sent to gogreenbuddy-7.195 HIVE
Sep 2, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-44.987 HIVE
Oct 5, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-3.851 HBD
Nov 17, 2023
Sent to gogreenbuddy-118.354 HIVE
Nov 17, 2023

Sent to gogreenbuddy-3.155 HBD
Dec 26, 2023
Sent to gogreenbuddy-497.127 HIVE
Dec 26, 2023

https://peakd.com/@ipromote/wallet

Sent to alpha-4,288.000 HIVE
2 days ago
Received from beeswap.fees28.203 HIVE
2 days ago
beeswap fees... APR: 10%, value: 100000
Withdraw vesting from @stemgeeks to @ipromote0.000 HIVE
3 days ago

Sent to themarkymark-100.000 HIVE
8 days ago

https://peakd.com/@alpha/wallet

STOP THE ABUSE !DOOK STOP THE SMOKING !WEED STOP THE #BUILDAWHALEFARM #BUILDAWHALESCAM @GOGREENBUDDY !LOL 2

https://peakd.com/@themarkymark/activities

STOP THE BUILDAWHALE SCAM FARM lol 84

Posted using Bilpcoin

0.000

@dookbot -3

7 months ago

^{Look at that shit @bpcvoter3, you need more DOOK Tokens!}
^{You need to Stake at least 2500 DOOK.}
^{(We will not send this error message for 24 hours).}

^{Learn all about this shit in the toilet paper! 💩}

0.000

@alberto0607 68

7 months ago

GIMP is a great application and one of the oldest in the world of GNU/Linux and free software, although it still needs development it can compete with the proprietary versions.

0.000

@myjob 71

7 months ago

Thank you, I downloaded Gimp, now I will go play with it.

0.000

@zakludick 74

7 months ago

Oooh! I use Gimp sometimes as well!

!LUV

Good job!

0.000

@luvshares 58

7 months ago

Made with LUV by crrdlx

0.000

@hivebuzz 74

7 months ago

Congratulations @jacobtothe! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)

	You received more than 36000 HP as payout for your posts, comments and curation. Your next payout target is 37000 HP. _{The unit is Hive Power equivalent because post and comment rewards can be split into HP and HBD}

_{You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking}
_{If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP}

Check out our last posts: