Reader Tutorial: How to create an awesome action picture in GIMPListThumbs

Reader Tutorial: How to create an awesome action picture in GIMP

March 23, 2009

This tutorial is a remake from a Photoshop tutorial, that can be found at http://abduzeedo.com/how-create-radical-photo-sequence. It was written by Paulo Canabarro. This tutorial is intended for people that have a general idea of layer masks, as layer masks are a big part of this tutorial.

Some things you will need before we get started: A few pictures, that were shot in the “burst” mode of your camera. (See step 1 for more info about this)

Step 1

The most important part about this whole tutorial, is having pictures that will work. To get the pictures that are needed, use the “burst” mode setting on your camera. On my camera (Sony) its found under the “menu” button. On your camera, it could be located in a different area. In a short description, the “burst” mode takes pictures for as long as your capture button is held down. There are some things to know about this option though. If your not in good lighting (at least on my camera) the photoshop will be blurry, which is why I recommend a well lit, outdoor setting. It's all trial and error, so just find out what works for you.

Camera Burst

Step 2

Load all your photos into GIMP, and find your first image. This would be the one that's either coming in from the far left, or far right. In my case it will be coming in from the right.

Step 3

Find your next image in the order, and select the whole document (select>all) Then copy the image. Move to your original image (the one in step 2) and paste it in. Make this floating selection, and new layer by clicking the new layer button.

Import Layer

Step 4

Repeat for each image. Keep selecting them, and pasting them until there all in the document.

Step 5

You may notice that one image does not line up perfectly, that will be fixed.

Step 6

Hide all the layers except for the bottom layer, and the next one up. In my case this will be the background layer, and layer 1.

Hide top

Step 7

Select layer 1. Make a selection around the subject, make sure to get any shadows that are casted by the subject. This is important when adding the layer mask. Right click on the layer that you just made the selection on, and add a layer mask. Make it a black layer mask.

Create Selection

Step 8

Your layer will disappear, but don't worry, we will get it back. Make white your foreground color, and fill that selection. There is the subject now in view, but without the background it originally was on!

Selection Dissapears

Step 9

This part is important. If you don't click on the layer image, before you move the image to line it up, you will move the layer mask, which is not what we want to achieve. Make sure the image thumbnail is highlighted with white.

Created Layer Mask

Step 10

Move your new selected layer, to match it up with the background picture. Don't worry if parts of it don't line up, you can fix it with the layer mask.

Step 11

After you have lined it up, select your brush tool, and change your foreground to black. Remember black hides, white reveals. It's all trial and error now, trying to get the look you like, perfect. Remember to reveal the shadows, to make it look good. You can play around with layer opacity, to easier view areas you need to reveal and hide. (Note: If your layer mask doesn't seem to be working, remember that you selected your layer, and unselected your layer mask in a previous step, so remember to reselect your layer mask by click on it in your layers panel.)

Lower Opacity

Step 12

Once you have completed this with your first image, complete it with all the other layers you have.

Here is what my GIMP layers looks like:

Finished Layers

Conclusion

My layer masks didn't need to be changed very much because my images lined up pretty well.

You can do this tut with as many, or as little pictures as you would like, though I recommend more then 3 pictures, and not too many pictures that they are overlapping and you can't tell what's going on. I also did not use very many pictures, because the goal was to get the technique across.
If at all possible, use a tripod, it makes the lining up process a lot easier. This can be done with any kind of image that shows movement.

If you have any questions about this tutorial, or would like to contact me, you can email me at matt.r.buell@gmail.com

Gimp version

Help us to share this!

14 Comments

David T03/23/2009

This sucks DICK

Anonymous03/23/2009

I don't see how theres any action in this..

evilgbear03/24/2009

wow guys... calm down

Anonymous03/24/2009

what the hell is this?even my grandma can do this without opening her eyes

Quale03/24/2009

Nice tutorial, but for some extra 'action' you could of taken a picture whilst making an Ollie ^_^
Nevertheless! I learned something today, thanks.

Sanid03/24/2009

Damn people calm down, i think hes young so he got time to learn, but if you are so good why are you reading this tutorial

wyldfyer03/24/2009

not very impressive...but i dont see any actions...its all just still images replaced

The Albino103/25/2009

Hey, thanks sanid, yeah im only 14, so im just learning photoshop currently, and this was my attempt in gimp.

Yopladas03/26/2009

Hmm, we can tell your age by the picture you took, and I'm 14 and would NOT have posted a thing most of us know...

Nice try though? I guess?

UNDERDOG03/30/2009

wow.Albino1 you are great...only 14 .you can use photoshop and write this tut. i think you will be a good Designer in the future

Per03/31/2009

Jesus people, take it easy. Even though this seemed silly to you it could actually be useful for someone out there just starting out with Photoshop.

At least he dared to try and create something.

Way to be a dick to a stranger.

awahik05/30/2009

why are some people always very ungrateful.
Instead of complianing abt his work, just do something better except you want to remain a coward.
That was a nice one there. more tutorials plz

TadoCoreboort09/01/2009

Kept lady looking championing fun.Verifiable sex.

http://www.dateprettygirl.com/img/111.jpg

The a certain thing I'm not is shy. Why be withdrawing, I like saying what I for and I like when a guy comes into my own apartment and tells me what he needs. So don't defer backtrack from when you penetrate in because I can't like you if I don't have knowledge of what you like. I'm here to interest my substance with you and to assail c promote you blithe and thats to the letter what I intend on doing. I'm up in requital for the whole and anything so upstanding ask. My pussy is always rainy and inclined for attention.
Facts here: adult dating services arco idaho

hasar11/09/2009

fena deil

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.

Icon Ads Wall

  • Openjobs - Oportunidades de Emprego para Profissionais de Talento
  • Zee - Irrezeestível Design Digital
  • Tradd.us - Contextual Translator
  • DesignFlavr, Inspirational Art and Design served daily
  • Signalnoise.com | The art of James White
  • Alberto Seveso - Illustrator
  • Description: Award Winning Portfolio and blog of Web Developer Anthony Woods

Do you want to advertise here?