GIMPshop: Tips on How to Level Images

Using image editing programs is a great way to enhance and improve upon graphics and other images. GIMPshop is one such editing program that allows users to discover some of the many uses of its' various features. Hopefully, a better understanding of leveling will help GIMPshop users become more aware of some of the program's many fascinating features. Well, let's start leveling!

Leveling is a excellent feature that allows GIMPshop users to whiten or darken images that may have become unleveled. Whether it is the whole image or only a certain section of an image, using the leveling tool can really help an image become more appealing and balanced. The leveling tool is divided into two sections: Input Levels and Output Levels. Input leveling basically effects the blackness or whiteness of an image. Output leveling, however, effects the amount of lightness or darkness of an image, which can have an effect on the image's background or foreground. Now that we know more about the concept of leveling, it is now time to practice what we have learned.

Example 01. The first object we will start with is the image of a circle displayed in Image 01. As you can see, the circle is half gray and half black. Because the circle is unleveled, we can use GIMPshop's leveling tool to make the circle entirely black or entirely gray. Obviously, the easiest way to go would be turning the circle all black. To begin with, select the gray section of the circle with the selection tool. After selecting the gray section, it is now time to actually level the image. To open the leveling tool, go to the Menu Bar and select Image>Adjustments>Levels. For the shortcut, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and push L. The leveling box should now have popped up and should displays the input and output levels of the image. To level the image to entirely black, move the black tick mark listed under Input Levels to around 95 or until the gray section turns black and click OK. If you have mistakenly messed with the Output Levels, simply click the Reset button located at the bottom of the leveling box. This will reset the image back to its' original state. If you have leveled the image correctly, the circle should be entirely black and should appear to resemble Image 02.

Example 02. The second object we will be leveling is Image 03. The image is of a square that is half white and half gray. Because we have already leveled the previous image in a solid black, we will now be leveling this image in gray. It will be a little bit harder to level this image due to the fact that it is gray and not black or white. To level the square, select the white area and then, open up the leveling tool like before. This time, however, we will be adjusting the Output Levels. Simply move the white tick mark located under Output Levels to the left until the white section resemble the gray section on the right side. Once you think you've got it, click OK. If the color doesn't match up completely, click undo and try zooming in closer before attempting to level the image again. I accomplished the leveling with the white Output Level being 129. The resulting image should resemble Image 04. There you go, you've done it!

Helpful Advice. If you do get an error message before you start leveling such as "Levels for indexed layers cannot be adjusted", go to the Menu Bar and select Image>Mode>Grayscale or RGB. This error occurs quite often for me, but simply switching the mode seems to resolve the problem. Another thing to keep in mind is not to over level your images. This can result in a "burnt" appearance. To avoid such incidents, try to keep the image's tones in mind. Images with lighter grays are excellent examples to base your leveling on. When your light or medium grays start to become too dark or black, then you know you are over leveling. With practice, however, leveling should become easier and a great tool to use when editing images.

The leveling tool that is featured in the program GIMPshop is an excellent tool that allows users to truly improve images. With a little practice and testing, users should be able to master this tool easily so they can improve upon aged, damaged, or unbalanced images. Plus, leveling is actually kinda fun!