Look ma, no plugins: the "Freaky details" effects, using of-the-shelf Gimp 2.10

[Ofnuts]

(09-13-2021, 09:05 PM)Krikor Wrote:

(10-16-2018, 09:30 PM)Ofnuts Wrote: The effect is quickly done:

• Make two copies of your original image (three layers total)
  
• Color>Invert the top layer
  
• Filters>Blur>Selective Gaussian blur the top layer (radius around 5 px, max delta around 0.2)
  
• Add a layer group at the top, and move the top two layers in it
  
• Set the color-inverted layer to Vivid light mode
  
• Set the layer group to Overlay mode
  

Ofnuts, this effect is achieved with simple steps but the result is really amazing!

Another method I use:

01- Duplicate the original layer;
02- In the new layer change the mode to Grain extract;
03- Apply a Selective Gaussian Blur - defaults. (Here I usually used Gaussian blur, but you have to be careful with a halo that appears around the image if the blur is excessive);
04- New from visible (it will generate a new layer - third);
05- On the new layer (greyed out) change the mode to Linear Light. (it can be Vivid light, it depends on the image);
06- Close the view of the second layer.

For the purpose of comparing the methods I used the excellent image from Pixonuts. I hope it's not a Copyright violation.

Pretty sure that your technique can be made easier by using the adequate layer group. All these techniques are mostly subtracting a blurry version of the image from the original to keep only the sharp components... (in other words, they are mostly impovements on "Unsharp mask";