HDR photos with the GIMP

Step 7 Apply the dark layer mask

Copy the contents of the dark layer mask image. Go back to the composite, and open the layers window (Ctrl-L or Dialogs -> Layers). Right-click on the dark layer, and select Add Layer Mask- the initial settings are unimportant. Now everything that you do to the dark layer will happen to the layer mask. Grab the paintbrush, select white or black and paint a little on the image- you should see where you paint show one or other of the photos in the composite. Now paste the layer mask onto the dark layer (select the dark layer and Edit -> Paste). Anchor the pasted layer down.

The composite image should now have less silhouette in it and appear a little more "vibrant". To see the effect the layer is having, check and uncheck the visibility eye next to the layer- you should see the dark parts of the image change, but the lighter parts be unchanged. If the effect is too pronounced or too subtle, go back to the dark stock image, undo the curves operation and redo it to a different extent, and repaste the layer mask until you are satisfied with the result.

Comments

[rmfought]

Make sure you have the new layer mask selected in the layer window. Then paste the mask layer and hit anchor.

[turt-o]

I'm stuck here, I can't paste the mask layer :(