The Photo Doesn't Look So Good...

So we built the light box, put a lamp next to it, set the white balance and finally took a picture. All exited we upload it top the computer to only find out the background is not the color we wanted! This is the original picture of the WA pen on a white background. Does it look white to you? I would say it's pink'ish or something but definitely not white.

Well after a few quick tweaks in a software I got the image to look like this:

Well that's better! Of course the image is not perfect but I really like it and it does look like what I imagined when I initially thought of taking that photo.

Normally I use Photoshop (PS) for image editing. I have had an old copy of Photoshop for years and I never learned how to use it properly, however I know that software is capable of doing miracles. So whenever I need to do something with PS - I just Google or Youtube the instructions.

I understand that Photoshop is expensive and many people don't have it and can't afford it - so I decided to use a FREE software for this tutorial. You have probably have heard of it here on WA - it's called GIMP.

Using GIMP For Photo Correction

GIMP isfree and it's very similar to Photoshop, just with less options. I have never tried it until today, when I started creating this tutorial but I downloaded, installed it and was very surprised at all the possibilities and features Gimp offers. I could probably use Gimp and never touch Photoshop again.

You can download GIMP here, The installation is pretty straight forward and doesn't take long. Once it's installed and running,

Open The File.

go to File, Open, and choose the image you need to modify;

I selected the image of a key with dice. As you can see the background is not white. It's somewhat Yellow and Pink. Probably because my White Balance wasn't set properly and mostly because I used a lamp with a weak yellow light bulb.

"Repair" The Background Color.

Once your image is opened, locate the COLORS button in the top menu. Then click on LEVELS:

Levels menu will open and you will see three (3) sliders under the Input Levels graph. These sliders will make your colors lighter or darker. If you move the far right slider (white) to the left - your image will start getting lighter. Move it until you are satisfied with the color of the background. The middle slider will make your object lighter or darker, move it around, see what looks right to you. The far right slider (black) also changes how the images looks.

-> in case you are using Photoshop, go to Layer -> New Adjustment Layer -> Levels, this will open the same menu.

Once you are satisfied with the new look of the image you will need to click on OK at the bottom of the Levels window, otherwise your changes will be lost:

Save Your New Image.

Now you need to Save the file. Gimp calls this action "Export". You can also save the project file for further modifications.

Click on File -> Export As...

Now, You need to NAME the file in the top field and chose the format in the bottom field. Select whatever format you prefer,I always use .PNG because I find this format does a great job keeping all the colors.

This might seem complicated but DON'T be scared. After a few images you'll get a hang of it and it will take you only a few moments to do all that GIMP editing.
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