Assistance needed - creating a solar eclipse sequence in GIMP

[starhopper]

Hi all,
I am new to using GIMP, and could use your advice/input. I have several solar eclipse photos from the April 2024 eclipse, and I would like to arrange them in a sequence.  I'd like my total eclipse photo to be in the center of the sequence, with the stages leading up to it, and after it on either side.

I am not very technically savvy with computer software in general, and have limited free time to learn GIMP and all its functions. I found quite a few detailed/complex tutorials that show how to create an eclipse sequence in photoshop, but I couldn't find a good basic one for GIMP, so I would appreciate any assistance. 

I assume I will need to load all my photos in layers, then somehow put all the images on top of a black background. Then I'll need to adjust their size and move them into the correct positions. Can someone suggest a very simple way to create this type of image? As I am not very familiar with the tools in GIMP (or even how to create a black background), if you can be very specific with a step-by-step process that would be greatly appreciated!  Note - I have version 2.10.32 revision 1.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!

[zeuspaul]

First I would modify the individual files to approximately equal sizes.

Then I would would click on FG/BG icon upper left and set BG to black.  Then I would file/new (upper left).  Type in a file size in pixels larger than you think you need.

Then file/open as layers all the individual files.  Then set your move option to pick a layer or guide.  Drag the images into position.  Scale each individual layer as needed.

Open a second set of files as layers for the second half of the images and adjust size as necessary using the layer scale option.

   

Alternately you can use bucket fill to change the color of a layer.

[Ofnuts]

(12-28-2024, 09:06 PM)starhopper Wrote: Hi all,
I am new to using GIMP, and could use your advice/input. I have several solar eclipse photos from the April 2024 eclipse, and I would like to arrange them in a sequence.  I'd like my total eclipse photo to be in the center of the sequence, with the stages leading up to it, and after it on either side.

I am not very technically savvy with computer software in general, and have limited free time to learn GIMP and all its functions. I found quite a few detailed/complex tutorials that show how to create an eclipse sequence in photoshop, but I couldn't find a good basic one for GIMP, so I would appreciate any assistance. 

I assume I will need to load all my photos in layers, then somehow put all the images on top of a black background. Then I'll need to adjust their size and move them into the correct positions. Can someone suggest a very simple way to create this type of image? As I am not very familiar with the tools in GIMP (or even how to create a black background), if you can be very specific with a step-by-step process that would be greatly appreciated!  Note - I have version 2.10.32 revision 1.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!

To create a black background, you just fill a layer with black. 

For the rest, it is File > Open as layers to add the image as new layers, and then use the crop tool (for coarse work) and the eraser or a layer mask to keep the useful part in each.

[rich2005]

(12-28-2024, 09:06 PM)starhopper Wrote: ..............I have several solar eclipse photos from the April 2024 eclipse, and I would like to arrange them in a sequence.  I'd like my total eclipse photo to be in the center of the sequence, with the stages leading up to it, and after it on either side....

It is a worthwile project but it does depend on what you recorded, so just some hints.  No solar eclipse, just a moon shot.

If you have a series of images, Open as layers and then maybe you can crop to just the basics (1)
Use the move tool to set up the sequence. You will be moving off canvas so use, View -> Show All. (2)
Once in position, set the canvas to encompass all, Image -> fit canvas to layers  (3) Then you can turn Show All off.

   

Then it depends on what you have in the way of the  background, post a typical example and ask for comments.