Use Levels in the GIMP Application

Edited by Freya, VisiHow, Eng

You're watching VisiHow. In this tutorial, we're going to show you how to adjust "Levels" in GIMP in Windows 7.

Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas114 470118.jpg

Steps

  1. 1
    You should have the program open and an image ready to use
    .
    You can refer to our other tutorials to find out exactly how to do that.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas11 945567.jpg
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  2. 2
    First, click "Colors" in the horizontal toolbar along the top of the screen
    .
    If "Toolbox" is covering it, move "Toolbox" away by dragging the window.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas18 01587.jpg
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  3. 3
    Then, click "Levels" in the drop-down menu
    .
    A dialogue box will appear where you can start adjusting levels.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas29 546816.jpg
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  4. 4
    Click the "Presets" drop-down menu and select a preset if you have it
    .
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas49 32158.jpg
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  5. 5
    You can add a preset later by clicking the plus icon next to the drop-down menu
    .
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas58 302352.jpg
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  6. 6
    Next, you can change the "Channel" by clicking the drop-down menu below "Presets"
    .
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas64 928928.jpg
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  7. 7
    Click "Red", "Green", "Blue", or "Alpha"
    .
    You can also reset the channel by clicking the "Reset Channel" button.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas74 137285.jpg
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  8. 8
    Now, you can begin experimenting with your levels by clicking and dragging the triangles below the "Input Levels" graph
    .
    If you drag the left triangle to the right, the dark areas of the photo will become darker. If you drag the right triangle to the left, the white, or lighter, areas of the photo will be highlighted.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas84 646372.jpg
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  9. 9
    Click and drag the triangle in the middle
    .
    It is the grey triangle that will adjust midtones, giving a more realistic effect.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas115 019138.jpg
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  10. 10
    You can also manually type the numbers below the bar
    .
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas135 25254.jpg
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  11. 11
    There are color picker icons that you can click
    .
    These tools will allow you to specify where exactly in your image you'd like to focus.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas136 153584.jpg
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  12. 12
    You can then change "Output Levels" by typing values manually or by using the scroller
    .
    "Output Levels" affect the whole image rather than just highlights or shadows.
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas144 077422.jpg
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  13. 13
    Ensure that "Preview" is checked
    .
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas162 602448.jpg
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  14. 14
    You can click "Reset" to reset all of the changes
    .
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas179 292683.jpg
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  15. 15
    Click "OK" once you're satisfied with the changes
    .
    Adjust Levels on GIMP.mp4-canvas167 57462.jpg
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This is a VisiHow tutorial, and we've just shown you how to use "Levels" in GIMP in Windows 7. If you have any questions or comments regarding this tutorial or the program used, just add them to the section below. As always, thank you for choosing VisiHow!

Video: Use Levels in the GIMP Application

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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Categories : Software

Recent edits by: VisiHow, Freya

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