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Pictures
Gimp is the GNU Image Manipulation Program.
It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching,
image composition and image authoring. You could use photoshop,
paint shop pro, or any paint/photo program. I am using Gimp for this task because it
is free and simple to use. I have some free source material for you to use as you wish.
Free HD picture source material
Start with a photo (click on photos to get huge version)
This one I took at Minnehaha Falls in MN.
Next go to the color section of gimp and select color balance. In the window that pops up
move the blue color lever to full and the red and green in the other direction and you will get
something interesting like this.
Notice compared to ther other examples below
the blue most depth and best detail. That is
something to keep in mind choosing color levels.
The blue has a more "infinite seeming" depth than red or green.
Here are some more examples click to see full size.
There are tips at the bottom of the page.
color balance red max
On all these I just max out the color I want and turn down
the other colors. try your own variations.
color balance green max
colorize (default value)
colorize blue
colorize red
saturation
posterize
maximum rgb
posterize plus max rgb
Sun vs Shade - In this picture the filter has added depth based on where
the shade from the sunlight is.
I do a lot of photos during the magic hour
(the last hour before sunset or after sunrise).
I use the sunlight to highlight the things I
want in the foreground and the shade to make things appear further away.
Sort of a sun or white light holography if you will.
Doesn't always work but worth trying.
Photo plugin tips
There are many free plugins on the web. Try http://www.photo-freeware.net to start
adding contrast can greatly spice things up
plugins that deal with color or edges are your friends
try using the same plugin multiple times on the same picture sometimes
it creates an effect of its own (feedback/fractalish)
don't forget you can use color replace to change a color that is ruining the
3d effect to one that adds depth. This can really save a picture you wouldn't be able to use.