Not everyone can afford Photoshop, unless you're a well-established photographer or you make decent enough money to buy a license! So what's a person to do when they can't get it?
Go Open Source, of course!
The specific kind of program I use isn't going to kick Photoshop's butt, but it will get you started. GIMP 2 isn't as versatile as Photoshop, however, it's -free- and you can do many of the things you can do in Photoshop. In fact, you can even use Photoshop brushes! There are many plug-ins for Gimp 2, too many to go through in fact! You can browse GIMP 2's directory for plug-ins to use. The most important to get is Python, it'll allow you to use most of the content creators' filters and scripts. I won't go in-depth on how to do compositions (mushing together multiple photos into one) yet, but that'll come soon enough!
So first thing's first, how do you get Gimp 2? Easy enough! Follow this link here:
https://www.gimp.org/downloads/
Now, you'll want to check periodically for updates, it's frequently updated. If you like it enough, you can even donate to its development!
What can you do with Gimp 2? I'll show you! This entire composite was made using Gimp 2. The two main photos I used (the graveyard background, and the one of my daughter) were taken in the day time. So I had to edit out the sky, replace it with a nice moon, and make it creepier!
You can also do your usual photo editing, like exposure, contrast and color editing. After downloading Gimp 2, you can go to their 'Tutorials' page to get a list of tutorials for doing things on Gimp 2! There are also many tutorials on how to do specific things all over the internet.
On to the plug-ins you'll want to add! These plug-ins work with most of the scripts that Gimp 2 users develop. Which folder you put it in will depend on the file type.
First is Python. If your file name ends in '.py', it's a Python file, and it's going to go into your plug-ins folder. You'll find that folder in your Gimp 2 folder. Here is the tutorial for installing Python:
http://www.gimpusers.com/tutorials/install-python-for-gimp-2-6-windows
Next is Script-fu! If your file name ends in '.scm', it's a Script-fu file, and it'll go into your scripts folder. Script-Fu is already included in your Gimp 2, however it's important to note which file types go where. For this next plug-in, you can either get the Script-fu version (.scm) or the Python version (.py). Personally, I have the .scm file type downloaded.
This plug-in is called 'LayerFX', and it's going to do a bunch of nifty things for layers, like drop shadow, inner shadow, inner glow, outer glow etc. It's great especially for text! Make sure you pay attention to what you've downloaded!
https://gimpscripts.com/2011/10/gimp-layer-effects/#wpfb-file-35
gimpscripts.com will give you a very large list of scripts you can install for Gimp 2. So go out there and create - with Open Source!
Excellent tutorial here. I have a feeling a lot of people are going to follow your blog for more posts like this. I've never used Gimp, but have only heard good things about it.
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It's an excellent program. The only thing it doesn't do well is drawing, and I've never tried animating with it, personally. If you wanted to draw digitally, I have other programs I can point someone to. Clipstudio is a great one, and they have sales often where it goes cheeeeeeeeeeap!
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Actually it draws well if you have a pressure sensitive thingie. Once upon a time I had one of the early wacoms (running all this on linux) and it was wonderful.
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I suppose I should say compared to my programs specifically for drawing, it's not as good. I do have a Tursion drawing tablet, and I use it all the time! To me, it just doesn't have nearly the features for drawing that things like Clipstudio has.
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Awesome! Open source all the way! Thanks so much for sharing. Btw, I am a curator for @ocd and would love to nominate your post.
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Absolutely! Thank you so much for considering me!
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No wonder last time I downloaded it seemed like I didn't have "enough" toys. I hadn't registered I needed to install those separately.
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Yes, though it comes -with- script-fu already built in, but Python gives you more toys to play with. Some content creators only work with Python.
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great stuff. I'll start playing around with it
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Excellent! It may look a little intimidating at first (it doesn't have the greatest ease of finding things or the greatest UI), but there are many tutorials online if you're wanting to do something specific.
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I have messed around with it from time to time, but I bet I can figure it out with enough tutorials. Thanks again and feel free to stop by the whaleshares discord on thursday night to promote your post to a large audience. Its a great group of guys
https://discord.gg/WyDMZ6D
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Thanks for the heads up! Look out for my 'free resources' post, which will be happening sometime today!
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