How to Restore Bright Colors to Photographs on GIMP

Add brightness to lifeless, old photos.

Colors fade over time, but you can use modern technology to restore the luster to your old photos. The open source GIMP graphics application is a free alternative to commercial graphics products that you can edit and improve photo image files. You can restore brightness to a photograph quickly and easily using the application's Brightness-Contrast tool.

Instructions

1. Run the GIMP application.

2. Click "File" > "Open" to open a file browser window.

3. Navigate to the folder that contains your photograph image file, then click the file and click the "Open" button.

4. Click "Tools" in the menu bar, then click "Color Tools" > "Brightness-Contrast." Doing so opens the Brightness-Contrast editing tool.

5. Click the check box next to "Preview" to automatically update preview your image as you adjust the new brightness settings.

6. Click and hold the slider under "Brightness" and drag the slider toward the right side of the continuum. The higher the positive Brightness value you choose, the brighter your picture appears.

7. Click and hold the slider under "Contrast" and drag the slider to the right to increase color contrast.

8. Click "OK" to save the changes to your brightness settings. If you wish to cancel the changes instead, click the "Reset" button.

References

• Linuxtopia: GIMP User Manual - 5.4. Brightness-Contrast Tool