Arteliance

Opening a file in GIMP requires one to define the RGB working space for that image. The choices are to keep the embedded profile or convert to whatever option you have defined in your preferences. Gimp.org recommends using sRGB but my preference is for Adobe 1998. Of course none of these really mean that much without printed output but it is interesting to see the subtle display differences.

Bonus tip: When calibrating your monitor take off your glasses if you have lenses with anti-reflective coating as they make everything appear slightly green and you might set your display too magenta with them on.

1. Download the scripts you want to install (.scm files)
2. Put them into Home » Library » Application Support » Gimp » scripts (may have to create the scripts folder)
3. In GIMP: Filters » Script-Fu » Refresh Scripts

Design by Fire • Santorini in black and white (scroll down to the The Rob Carr Color to B&W Conversion Technique).

While I was cleaning out Evernote I came across this method for converting photos to black and white and decided to try applying it using GIMP:

1. Convert to LAB colour: Colors » Components » Decompose… set Color model to LAB

2. Image mode will already be Grayscale

3. Highlight Lightness (L) Layer and switch to Channels tab. Ctrl-Click on thumbnail » Channel to Selection

4. Select » Invert

5. With the selection still active, convert the image to RGB color, using Image » Mode » RGB.

6. GIMP doesn’t have Adjustment Layers so what I did turn off the visibility of the A and B layers Ctrl-Click » Create New Layer from Visible

7. Edit » Fill with a rich, dark colour

8. Adjust the opacity, levels and/or curves as needed

The B&W iPhoto effect and convert to grayscale in GIMP both seem flat to my eye.

I think I might like black and white photography better than colour.

Hint: use Channel Mixer with monochrome selected to create richer B&W photos.

Last night at around 4 p.m. (chinook on its way here)

Weather yesterday and today (so far)

The temperature has dropped 11°C in the past couple of hours and this chinook is making it almost impossible for me to think or write today.

Places on the internet where I share photos:

• flickr: good community

• Picasa: larger images and unlimited number of albums

• momentile: Alpha only (not fully open to public yet).

A momentile consists of a single image, defined only by the date it was published. That’s it. Void of explanation and free from context, a momentile is pure visual communication.

My current (beginner) work flow:

• iPhoto: straightening, cropping and sometimes colour correction

• Apple Preview: sizing and emailing

• GIMP: more involved image manipulation, colour balancing and retouching

Plans:

• Culling and tagging photos so that I can find them more easily

• Learning to control my imagery even more

• Start a photographer’s journal

Poladroid project : the easiest and funniest Polaroid Image Maker