How to Use the GIMP Retinex Tool

GIMP has a lot of useful scripts that you can download from the GIMP registry linked in Resources below. Retinex is an image enhancement tool that allows you to control contrast and saturation by using a scale and scale divisions to manage the outcome. In this case, I had an image that I thought would make a good poster for a beach surfboard rental company. The caption could be: "Tired of carrying your rental board around? Rent from Beach Rentals and avoid the schlep." The image, though, had too much going on and I wanted a posterization, but one that I could control. The Retinex plug-in comes with the latest version of GIMP and does not require a download. Read on to discover how to use the Retinex tool to create a posterization.

Instructions

Open your image in GIMP and then open the RETINEX toolbox. You can find the Retinex toolbox under the COLORS tab at the bottom of the drop down menu. Simply select it to run the script.

Once you have opened the toolbox, select the lower right-hand corner and drag it to enlarge the box. This will allow you to see the impact of the changes in the preview window as you adjust the sliders.

Familiarize yourself with the three LEVELS. The UNIFORM level applies the scale and scale division to all tone levels in the image equally. The dynamic slider changes the tonal levels based on the scale and scale divisions selected. The higher the dynamic number, the more the range is reduced.

The HIGH level impacts the "bright" tones in the image. It impacts more then just the highlights and experimentation with the sliders is required to get the effect you want. Notice the shadow areas and midtones are not impacted and the midtones are less impacted then the quartertones.

The LOW level impacts the shadows more then any other area. Notice the impact the dynamic slider has on the other tones. The highlights even become contaminated from the use of the low pass filter with a very small dynamic number.

Experiment with all the different levels and sliders to get the right effect. I thought these settings worked the best for this image. There is plenty of white space to add text and the colors and effect is dramatic enough to be eye catching. Now all I need is a surfboard rental shop on the beach somewhere that wants to purchase the image. "Are you looking to learn digital photography methods that deliver professional photographers to where they are today? Well, The Top Secret Photography Techniques would help you out in doing so. To become stunning photographs we first need to look at some fundamental photography strategies. The most important one I am able to share with you is identify about light. You can obtain every little thing about photography techniques on , The Top Secret Photography Techniques. Anytime you learn about light and in what approach it interacts with the direct environment then your photographs will get more beneficial..". That would be a lot harder than it was to create this image.

How to Use the path tool in GIMP for easier photo editing ...
software-tips.wonderhowto.com/how-to/use-path-tool-gimp-for-easier...
In this clip, learn how to use the Path tool in GIMP and edit your photos quicker and easier. This video will demonstrate exactly how to use this effective tool. GIMP ...
How to Use the split polygon tool in Maya Maya
autodesk-maya.wonderhowto.com/how-to/use-split-polygon-tool-maya...
This 3D modeling software tutorial shows you how to use the split polygon modeling tool in Maya. Learn how to use the split polygon tool to get full control over ...
How to fade image layers using Gimp gradient/blend tool
geekswithblogs.net/TimH/archive/2009/03/10/how-to-fade-image...
This post will explain how to do fading (fade out a layer) in Gimp. Assuming you have an image open... Add a new layer ; Draw the part you want faded
The Gimp - How To Use The Colour & Fuzzy Select Tools -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5sQv36B2I
Do you want to start creating your own graphics using GIMP, but have no idea how to get started? How To Use The Gimp -In this video you learn "How To Use ...
How to Draw vector art using the path tool in GIMP Software Tips
software-tips.wonderhowto.com/how-to/draw-vector-art-using-path...
This video will introduce you to the basics of creating vector art in GIMP by teaching you to draw using the path tool. Part 1 of 2 - How to Draw vector art using the ...
GIMP - How to use The Align Tool - tutorial - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgCePjr9jeU
This is the first of the series of tools in theGIMP toolbox. I'm starting with one of the least popular tools, the GIMP alignment tool. This is a GIMP ...
Graphics Software - How To Information eHow
www.ehow.com Computers Computer Software
Don't just sit there scratching your head, find useful info on Graphics Software on eHow. Get essential tips and learn more about everything from How to Find Paint ...
How to Remove a Background Using the GIMP Paths Tool: 8 Steps
www.wikihow.com Software Graphics GIMP
How to Remove a Background Using the GIMP Paths Tool. You've got a nice picture, but the background isn't the best. Did they really need to take that photo in the ...
GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program
www.gimp.orgDownloads Tutorials
Four students will be working on GIMP and GEGL this summer thanks to Google Summer of Code 2013 program. Ajay Ramanathan will be working on a combined selection tool;
How to Use the cookie cutter tool in Photoshop Elements 4.0 ...
photoshop-tutorials.wonderhowto.com/how-to/use-cookie-cutter-tool...
Adobe Photoshop Elements is the consumer version of the Adobe Photoshop raster image editing product. In this video tutorial you will learn to use the cookie cutter ...
GIMP - Tutorials
www.gimp.org/tutorials
Tutorials [Beginner Intermediate Expert Photo Editing Web Script Authoring] Beginner. GIMPLite Quickies Use GIMP for your graphics needs without learning ...
How to install GIMP plugins, scripts, brushes and gradients
www.techzilo.com/how-to-install-gimp-plugins-scripts-brushes-and-gradi
Installing GIMP plugins, brushes and gradients is one of the best ways to make GIMP more powerful. However, this can be difficult to do for a beginner. This
software - Does Gimp have a Match Color function similar to that ...
photo.stackexchange.com/questions/13187/does-gimp-have-a-match...
Photography Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professional, enthusiast and amateur photographers. It's 100% free, no registration required.
How to make a simple watermark in GIMP Scott Photographics ...
www.scottphotographics.com/how-to-make-a-simple-watermark-in-gimp
1. The file(.gbr) must be put into your GIMP folder (!may not be the same!): GIMP>2.0>brushes (C:\Program Files\gimp\2.0\brushes). 2. Refresh Brushes
GIMP - Using GAP
www.gimp.org/tutorials/Using_GAP
Using GAP. Text and images Copyright (C) 2002 Jakub Steiner and may not be used without permission of the author. Intention. GAP is an advanced tool to be able to ...
GIMP - GIMPLite Quickies
www.gimp.org/tutorials/Lite_Quickies
GIMPLite Quickies. Text and images Copyright (C) 2004 Carol Spears and may not be used without permission of the author. Intention. So, you have GIMP installed on ...