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How to Edit Lightning Effects to a Photo

How to Edit Lightning Effects to a Photo thumbnail
Graphic programs make it possible to add lightning to any picture.

Graphic software makes it possible to edit almost anything in digital images, from something as simple as cropping the image to elaborate changes like adding a lighting effect. Lightning effects involve creating a new image, drawing a line, and using filters and effects on the line to create a jagged bolt image -- and then adding it to the original picture. Most people know that Photoshop can accomplish almost anything, but the freeware program GIMP 2 can also edit lightning effects into a shot.

Instructions

  1. Using Photoshop

    • 1

      Open the image you want to add the lightning effects into and create a new layer.

    • 2

      Draw a line in the position you want the lightning to be. Use the original image as a guide to how the line should move.

    • 3

      Select "Filter," then "Stylize" and "Wind." Choose "From the Left" and then follow the same procedure and choose "From the Right."

    • 4

      Rotate the image 90 degrees in either direction. Use the "Wind" filter as explained above and then rotate the image back to its original position.

    • 5

      Select "Filter," then "Distort" and "Ripple." Set the effect amount to 100 percent and "OK" the change.

    • 6

      Select "Enhance," then "Adjust Color" and "Hue/Saturation." Click "Colorize" at the bottom right corner and adjust the "Hue" and "Saturation" bars to change the color as you please.

    • 7

      Merge the layers together.

    Using GIMP

    • 8

      Create a new file.

    • 9

      Select "Dialogs," "Brushes" and "New Brush." Create a new brush using the settings: Radius 45.5, Spike 2, Hardness 100.0, Aspect Ratio 1.0, Angle 0, Spacing 4.3.

    • 10

      Draw a line as you'd like the lightning to appear.

    • 11

      Select "Filters," then "Blur" and "Gaussin Blur." Check that the setting is at 98.0 percent for both the horizontal and vertical.

    • 12

      Select "Render," then "Clouds" and "Difference Clouds." Set details to 15, x-size to 9.7, y-size to 9.4.

    • 13

      Select "Colors" and "Invert." Then "Colors" and "Levels." In the box above "output" place "239," in the next box "1.00," then "255" and "255." Click "Ok."

    • 14

      Select "Colors" and "Colorize." Adjust the color as you please but keep the lightness at 0 and saturation at 100.

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References

  • Photo Credit Lightning image by professional from Fotolia.com

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