Gimp Disaster...SOS

[Goldie Green]

I recently started using Gimp 2.6 self teaching with online tutorials. However I have gotten to a point trying to combine 2 photos... that I just don't know what to do next.
If anyone can lend an idea or a website suitable to my problem I'd greatly appreciate it.

My first attempt: Steps:The Path Tool to outline> select from path>copy & paste into new photo.

From DPS Abandoned

My Second Attempt: Same idea only without the excess shadow on wall & floor, in hopes of easier blending .

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My Final Attempt: Same idea, just switched the pictures...( moved the man in doorway instead of woman on floor) Steps: Cut out the original doorway>Outlined new door/man with the Path Tool>Select from path> Cut>Copy & Paste into image.

From DPS Abandoned

So I think I'm getting better... I just don't know where that outline came from around the door. I can't seem to use the Clone Tool. The blending isn't working for me either. So I am left wanting, unless anyone has a good way to combine 2 shots. I originally wanted to use Layers & just lay one image on top of the other, but I was so lost! Thanks in Advance for anyone willing to assist.

[RiyaziM]

Jen - I have never used Gimp so no idea how to help you on this. If it was photoshop, I would use a layer mask (couple of links here and here which might help you to do this in gimp) and the white/black brush. It looks like your first image is the best to start from. If the pic of the man is on another layer, apply a layer mask on that and then brush off everything except the man in the mask with black - this will ensure that only the man is visible from that layer while everything else is picked up from the layer with pic of the woman. You might need to use a soft brush at about 200% image size to make sure the edges are brushed properly.

There might be easier ways of doing it with blending options - you might want to try that if gimp as it.

Anyway - not much help, but I love your concept - its a great idea for the theme and I hope the images works out the way you want.

[wulf]

Can you show us the two original images and describe what you are trying to achieve with them?

Wulf

[atgm]

It looks like you're trying to put them together, but the main problem is that you exposed them differently, so the surrounding parts don't match up as easily.

I'd do it this way -- a bit complex, but should work...

1. Put the images on a canvas together; each on a separate layer.
2. Cut off a strip of the top one on that wall on the right. You should be able to see the difference between the two exposures.
3. Adjust the levels so that the wall blends together properly again.
4. Remember those settings, go back to adjust the uncut version of that picture, cut out the guy, put him into the second picture.

I'd take the guy out rather than the woman since she's got a ton of subtle shadows coming from her...

[Goldie Green]

Ok I will post the pics I used & then I found one I should have used & see what we can come up with.

Original Man Image in JPG

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Original Man Image in RAW

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Original Woman Image in JPG

From DPS Abandoned

Ok so my original plan was to make 2 layers, & simply layer them...how hard could that be, right?!
The 2 problems:
#1. Layering : I have NO idea how to use the layers/masks, etc. & cannot find a decent video tutorial that makes sense to me. All I could find were cut/copy/paste how to's...

#2 The 2 different exposures:: The reason this happened is b/c I set up my tripod & left it there for 4 days trying to catch my husband walking out the door! Having to be quick...The halfway decent good shot I got was on a different day than the shot of me on the floor! By the time I got the shot of him...the sun had gone down...hence not being able to do another of me to match exposures!

Today I went back through all the shots trying to find a better match... so here is the shot maybe I should have used... I didn't choose this one b/c it was so dark & the left shoe is in motion...but maybe that isn't such a bad thing...

From DPS Abandoned

Thanks again for taking the time to help this Rookie! I doubt I will make the deadline at his point, but I have a backup shot to enter. At least I will have the know how for next time... & maybe it will help others struggling with post processing!

[Goldie Green]

Originally Posted by atgm

It looks like you're trying to put them together, but the main problem is that you exposed them differently, so the surrounding parts don't match up as easily.

I'd do it this way -- a bit complex, but should work...

1. Put the images on a canvas together; each on a separate layer.
2. Cut off a strip of the top one on that wall on the right. You should be able to see the difference between the two exposures.
3. Adjust the levels so that the wall blends together properly again.
4. Remember those settings, go back to adjust the uncut version of that picture, cut out the guy, put him into the second picture.

I'd take the guy out rather than the woman since she's got a ton of subtle shadows coming from her...

I agree with using the guy... it seemed to work out better...just needing a different way of doing it.
I don't know how to work the canvas/layer or which levels to adjust...that is the where my confusion starts... it's easier for me to see it or explained in detail.

Good advice, & if you could be a bit more specific I might be able to figure it out! Thank you so much as this is only my second time using Gimp.

[Goldie Green]

I will be out for a few days...having major pc problems had to recover back to factory settings, so as soon as I restore all my editing software I will get back to work on this! Thank you for helping & if anyone else has ideas on layering or merging in Gimp please do tell...I will make sure to post a tutorial on the finished product if it turns out well! Thanks