Making Photos More Interesting In The GIMP

I went on a hike recently and took a couple hundred pictures with my new camera. When I got back and imported them to my computer, there was a probem- they all looked the same and kind of flat (colorless), and I didn't want to use the foliage mode my camera has because it as less manual controls. This happens with any camera, and there's a free way to fix it. This instructable will make the colors pop out more in your photos.

The method I use is sort of like HDR, but less complicated, so it will be easy to follow for newbies, but it still yields great results.

Be warned, this tutorial is written for new GIMP users, so if you just want to know what I did and how I did it _{skip to step 3 and yes, I know it's very simple so don't bother telling me I'm a n00b and this isn't good.}

Edit: I did this all on one monitor and I realize that it may look too dark/bright on yours.

Step 1 Step 1: Download The GIMP and Install

First step: go to http://www.gimp.org/downloads/ for windows- click Download Gimp 2.6.6
and http://www.gimp.org/macintosh/ for mac. Just click the link that says Gimp on OSX

When it downloads, click the installer on your desktop and follow the onscreen instructions.

Note- this tutorial is done on a machine running windows Vista, and I don't know if the mac Gimp is the same, although it probably is.

Another Note- gimp 2.6.6. crashed for me a while after I installed it on startup every time. Before you become angry and spam me with hate mail go here http://www.gimpusers.com/news/2009-05-21/gimp-2-6-6-windows-problems.html and click download gimp 2.6.5., which hasn't given me any problems.

Comments

[admin]

This is a great Instructable, but you need to add a main image of the final project to the intro step. Please do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work. Thanks!

[Unit225]

I think I did it. Thanks.

[jotism]

Ur forgetting about the people with a REAL OS, although, in some popular Linux Disro's, the GIMP comes built in.

[Unit225]

 I wouldn't think most beginner users of computers use linux, but I'll put the link up anyway if it makes you happy.