Create flashes with Gimp - so it'll work
Taking pictures of flashes isn't easy. In Gimp you can also create the natural spectacle yourself. We show you how to do this.
Step 1: create flashes in gimp
Before you start, you need to create a new desktop in Gimp. To do this, click on "File" and select the entry "New ...". The size of your picture doesn't matter. Once you have created the work surface, you can do the lightning:
- Activate the free selection tool and mark some elongated areas. Now click on "Edit" and select "Fill with foreground color" to color the selected pieces black. In our picture gallery we show you what this should look like.
- Click on "Nothing" under "Selection" to select the entire image. Now disguise the edges of your selection: To do this, select the "Gaussian soft focus" tool under "Filters" and "Soft focus". Set both values to "100 px" and click "Ok".
- In the "Filter" menu, click "Render". Then select the "Difference clouds" entry under "Clouds". A new window opens, which you confirm with "Ok".
- Now click on "Invert" in the "Colors" menu. You should now be able to see the statures of your flashes.
- Now remove the gray tones around your flashes: To do this, select the "Values" entry under "Colors". The value filter shows you the color distribution of the photo. On the left you see the black and on the right the white part of the picture. Now move the small black triangle below the diagram to the right until only the white lines can be seen. Confirm the changes with "Ok", your screen should be almost black.
- Now highlight your flashes by clicking the "Color to transparency" entry in the "Colors" menu. Select black as the color and click "Ok".
Step 2: refine and color gimp flashes
Now you can start the fine work:
- Create a black background using "Layer"> "New Layer". To do this, select "Foreground Color" and click "Ok". In the Layers window, select the new layer and drag it down. Your flashes should now be visible on a black background.
- Mark the layer with the flashes and make two copies. This is easily done with the key combinations [Ctrl] + [C] and twice [Ctrl] + [V]. It is best to rename the new levels so that you can find your way in the next steps.
- Select the first level of flash copied. Under Filters and Distort, click Iwarp. Now use the mouse to draw your flashes in the preview image. Do some zigzag movements to make the flashes look more natural. Click "OK" when you are satisfied with the changes.
- In the Layers window, set the layer's opacity to 60%. Repeat step 3 for the second layer copied. Set the opacity to 30%.
- Now combine all three lightning levels by right-clicking on the top level. Select the entry "Unite Down". Repeat the step so that there is only one lightning layer and the background.
- Select the "Curves" entry in the "Colors" menu. A new window is opening up. Set the channel to "Alpha" and adjust the curve as in the picture gallery.
- Copy the flash layer again with [Ctrl] + [C] and [Ctrl] + [V]. Then select the "Gaussian soft focus" under "Filters" and "Soft focus". Set the values this time to "30 px". You can repeat this step as often as you like until you are satisfied with the level of your flashes.
- Now click on "Image" and select the entry "Merge image" to combine all levels. Under "colors" and "color balance" you can tint your flashes. Just play around with the sliders a little until you like the result.
- To transfer the natural spectacle into other photos, you have to cut out and copy the objects.
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Draw several jagged lines over the picture with the "Gimp-Lasso". Warning: Once you have created the last line, you must click on the starting point again to select the area. The black edges will later become your flashes.
Insert the filter and invert the colors. You should now recognize your lightning bolts.
Slide the triangles into this position. Only your white flashes should be visible.
You should now have three lightning layers, the opacity of which you can set individually. Combine the effects with the Iwarp filter to create jagged lines.
The color curve should look something like this. Simply drag the line to the desired position with your mouse. This will weaken your flashes around the edges.
If you finally miss your flashes in different colors, the digital natural spectacle is perfect.
