Gimp Portrait Edit

Ooh bonus content hehe.

Simple Portrait Editing Workflow in GIMP (No Brushes)

Step 1: Open the Image

• Go to File > Open and select your portrait image.

Step 2: Duplicate the Layer

• In the Layers panel:
  • Right-click the Background layer → Duplicate Layer
  • Work on the new layer to preserve the original

Step 3: Crop and Straighten (if needed)

• Use the Crop Tool (Shift + C) to improve framing
• Use Rotate Tool (Shift + R) if the image is tilted

Step 4: Automatic Color Enhancement

• Go to Colors > Auto > White Balance
• Then try Colors > Auto > Color Enhance
• If needed, undo either with Ctrl + Z and try manually below

Step 5: Adjust Brightness and Contrast

• Go to Colors > Levels
  • Use the Auto button or adjust the input sliders to brighten skin tones
• Optionally fine-tune with Colors > Brightness-Contrast

Step 6: Smooth the Skin (Gaussian Blur)

• Duplicate your current working layer
• Go to Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur
  • Radius: 4 to 6 px (depends on your image)
• Lower the layer’s opacity to ~50–70% for a soft skin effect

Step 7: Enhance Color

• Go to Colors > Hue-Saturation
  • Slightly increase Saturation (+5 to +10)
  • If needed, select individual color channels (like Reds) to boost lips or cheeks

Step 8: Sharpen the Image

• Merge visible layers: Image > Merge Visible Layers
• Go to Filters > Enhance > Unsharp Mask
  • Radius: 1.0–1.5 px
  • Amount: 0.5–1.0
  • Threshold: 0

Step 9: Optional Vignette Effect

• Go to Filters > Light and Shadow > Vignette
  • Adjust Radius, Softness, and Opacity to taste

Step 10: Export the Image

• Go to File > Export As
  • Choose .jpg or .png
  • Set quality to 90–100 for high resolution output