Boosting Photographs using Layer Blending Modes
Layers are a very powerful feature of any heavy duty imaging editor (Gimp, Photoshop et al) and they can be combined in some very interesting ways. When you first open a photo it will resides on a base layer known as the Background Layer but this layer can be duplicated and then blended with the image below to give your colours and contrast a real boost. The technique can immediately bring a image to life or give an extra zing to images that are already well exposed. The real trick is to use layer blending modes with restraint and keep the colours looking realistic
Overlay Layer Blending Mode - Making your Colours Pop
The images below shows the before and after effects of duplicating the background layer, setting the blending mode of the duplicated layer to Overlay and then reducing that layer's opacity to around 50%. This one technique is often enough to make many of my landscape and nature shots pop with colour before finally sharpening them
Before Overlay Layer Blending
After Overlay Layer Blending
Screen Layer Blending Mode - Rescuing Underexposed Images
We can use layer blending modes to fix under-exposed images by setting the blending more of the duplicated layer to 'Screen'
Before Screen Layer Blending
After Screen Layer Blending
To be continued