How to Make Objects Brighter in Gimp

Digitally alter the Color Curve of your photos to lighten the pixels.

Use GIMP, a free graphics editor, to brighten and lighten digital photos. GIMP has a Color Curves tool, a pop-out box which shows a curve representing the visible brightness of the pixels within your image. The curve runs from the bottom left axis to the top right of the grid. Clicking anywhere to the left of the curve shifts the curve to include that point, thus effectively increasing the brightness of your image.

Instructions

1. Launch GIMP and open a digital picture you want to brighten by clicking "File" and "Open."

2. Select the "Colors" tab and click on "Curves." The Adjust Color Curves pop-out appears, showing the color curve of your image. Select the Channel of "Value" to adjust brightness.

3. Click within the grid to the left of the curve. Your image automatically previews the brightness change, and a point is inserted onto the curve. Double-click and drag the point to the left and top to continue to brighten your picture.

4. Click "OK" when you are satisfied with the brightness of your image. The Adjust Color Curves pop-out closes.

5. Save your brighter picture by clicking "File" and "Save As."

Tips & Warnings

• To brighten the color curve of a single object within your image as opposed to the entire image, click on the "Rectangle Select Tool" or the "Elliptical Select Tool" in the main toolbox. Double-click and drag your cursor from one corner of the desired object to the other, and click within your selection. Adjusting the Color Curve at this point only affects your selected object.

• If you exit the Adjust Color Curves pop-out without clicking "OK," your changes will not be implemented.

References

• GIMP: Curves
• GIMP: Selection Tools
• GIMP: Save As

Resources

• GIMP