Unit 6: Image Manipulation Techniques

Lesson 2: Basic Techniques in Image

Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
Software
Contents
Engage 1
Introduction 1
Objectives 2

Explore 2

Explain and Elaborate 4

Image Manipulation 4
Editing Software 7
Licensed Software vs. Open-Source 11

Extend 12
Activity 1 12
Activity 2 12

Evaluate 13

Wrap Up 17

Photo Credits 17

Bibliography 18
Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
Software

Engage

Introduction

Fig. 1. Screenshot of a photo editing software

We are now in the twenty-first century, when social media is used to flaunt our beauty and
our daily routines. Posts of filtered images of OOTDs (outfit for the day) are very popular
nowadays, since these make us more elegant and stunning in the eyes of netizens. On the
other hand, filtering images has been abusively used as means for bullying (i.e., bad
memes).

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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As ethical users of media and the Internet, we must be bound by the rules and principles of
manipulating images, so that this will not be misused. As tech-savvy users, we must know
our restrictions to provide meaningful, beautiful, and creative photos.

Have you ever tried to edit images or graphics? Have you applied techniques to create good
graphics and pictures? How do you think editing software would help you develop such
graphics and images?

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Define image manipulation.
● Identify the basic techniques in image manipulation.
● Become familiar with various offline and open-source editing software.
● Differentiate licensed and open source editing software.

DepEd Competency
Use image manipulation techniques on existing images to change or enhance their
current state to communicate a message for a specific purpose
(CS_ICT11/12-ICTPT-Ie-f-7)

Explore

3 minutes
Are you familiar with the “Spot the difference” puzzle game? This game gives you two
similar pictures with subtle differences. The objective is to find these differences between
the two images. In this activity, we will play this game with the whole class. The teacher will
give you a pair of similar pictures, and you need to find the differences between them.

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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FIg. 2. Image for the activity (with 14 differences)

Guide Questions
1. Which part of spotting the difference is the easiest? Which part is the hardest?

2. What makes the game challenging and exciting?

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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3. With that simple image manipulation, how would you know if the image is manipulated or
if it is the original image?

Explain and Elaborate

Image Manipulation
Image manipulation refers to the transformation of an image using various techniques
and methods to enhance the resulting image. It is accomplished with a software editor that
can be downloaded either with a license or with open-source software. Image manipulation
can be done in photography, illustrations, drawings, and other forms of images.

Fig. 3. Manipulated photography

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation

Manipulating images might need to be done according to the different skills one has. But in
order to do this, one must already know the basic techniques of image manipulation. On the
other hand, a beginner should also learn those basic techniques and master them to
manipulate an image properly. The following are the basic techniques in image
manipulation:

Picking Stock Images for Cropping

Selecting a stock image or a raw
image does not mean you are free to
select any image available. Like the
principles given in the last lesson,
you need to consider the raw file you
want to use in image manipulation.
You must remember that not all
images can be cut out perfectly,
which means it is very difficult to be
edited. Also, some of the images are
pixelated, so you must choose raw
files that are not too low-quality for your purpose. Fig. 4. Sample of raw images

Combining Multiple Images

Adding and combining multiple images is
very common in image manipulation. It may
enhance the look of the raw image if it is
combined with multiple images that would
fit perfectly with the intended message of
the image. It is also important to note that
the quality of the raw image will affect the
final output. Combining images with the
same quality or resolution can result in a
Fig. 5. Combination of Multiple Images
sophisticated and stunning output.

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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Filters
Stock images or raw images are typically plain and dull. Therefore, filtering the image may
enhance its beauty and transform it dramatically. In most cases, we use our smartphones
when filtering images before uploading them on social media, but using the filtering effects
of image manipulation software requires thorough learning of the blending of colors and
other aesthetics.

Fig. 6. Effect of a filter

Text and Color

Text and color may add more effects to
image manipulation. It will also
emphasize the message of the image as
it catches the attention of the people
seeing it. Some memes today have
added text and color, which enhances
the meaning of the memes, whether
used for fun or other purposes.

Fig. 7. Text and Color Blending image

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Where can we use these techniques we acquired

for image manipulation?

Editing Software
Various editing software is available from the internet. However, some of them must be
purchased to be able to access their full functionality and features. There are some that are
open-source and may be downloaded free of charge. In this part, we will discuss the offline
(licensed) editing software as well as open-source editing software.

Licensed Editing Software

Plenty of licensed software are available on the Internet, but these are usually software you
can use offline in trial mode and then purchase after. As mentioned above, licensed editing
software will give you full access to all of its features, which may help you in image
manipulation.

Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Lightroom is an image manipulation software developed
by Adobe Systems for Windows. It allows you to transform plain
images into creative and stunning ones. This is included in the
Adobe Master Collection, which contains various editing
software in one package. With this, filtering effects and other
aspects of image manipulation can be enhanced.
Fig. 8. Lightroom icon

Adobe Photoshop
The most common photo and graphics editing software is Adobe
Photoshop. This program consists of different editing tools that
may be used to add effects and enhance images. It allows users
to make in-depth effects on text and images as well as blend all
elements.

Fig. 9. Photoshop icon

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Adobe Illustrator
A part of Adobe Master Collection, Adobe Illustrator is best
for vector graphics manipulation. Cartoon characters, 2D
graphics, or even 3D graphics may be edited using this
software. It enhances the quality compression of the lines,
colors, and other graphic elements of an image. Thus, this is
popular for creating graphics from scratch, but it may also be
used for image manipulation.
Fig. 10. Illustrator icon

Corel Painter
Corel Painter is a licensed raster-based editing software
developed by Corel. It simulates the appearance of the
traditional media associated with drawing, painting, and
printmaking as accurately as possible. It is intended for
graphic artist professionals as a functional creative tool.
When manipulating an image, this software allows users
to edit as well as create stunning filtered images.
Fig. 11. Corel Painter icon

Open-Source Software
Some operating systems (e.g. Linux OS) do not require licensed editing software. Thus, the
said operating system allows the use of open-source software. Here are some of examples:

GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)

GIMP is the most powerful editing software among all the open-source software. It has a
large collection of professional-level tools to assist you in editing and filtering images.
Similar to Photoshop, this software supports numerous file formats. This makes it
convenient for editors to to save their output while ensuring their work is compatible with
various operating systems (e.g., Windows, Mac OSX).

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Fig. 12. GIMP environment

Inkscape
An excellent software for making diagrams, illustrations, drawings, and the like is Inkscape.
This is similar to Adobe Illustrator, Indesign, and Coreldraw. Despite its availability, the
functionality of the software is not limited. It has an excellent support for gradients, layers,
and other controls that you may find in the licensed software previously mentioned.

Fig. 13. Inkscape environment

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Krita
Krita is a Linux photo editing
software for raster images. It
allows users to draw or
create graphics from scratch,
or edit raw images. At the
same time, it provides
numerous tools that can be
used to edit and create such
graphics. It supports graphic
tablets that enable users to
tilt, rotate, add pressure,
texture, etc. Fig. 14. Krita environment

RawTherapee
RawTherapee is an advanced
editing software for developing
raw photos and non-raw photos.
It supports all the images
captured on cameras supported
by DCRaw and renders several file
formats such as JPEG, PNG, and
TIFF. It is non-destructive and
makes use of OpenMP, an
application programming
interface (API) for various
programming languages.

Fig. 15. RawTherapee environment

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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Licensed Software vs. Open-Source
Both licensed and open-source editing software can be used offline and are downloadable.
They do not require an online account. However, some licensed software requires you to
register online for developers to assess whether the license key you have is valid. On the
other hand, some open-source editing software may not give you the sufficient tools you
need in order to manipulate images.

Table 1. Advantages and disadvantages of licensed software and open source software

Licensed Editing Software Open Source Editing Software

● with trial versions ● free of charge

● access to full features when ● access to full features
in full version ● with unique features
Advantage ● commonly used by editors ● renders file formats that are
using Windows Operating compatible with other licensed
Systems and MacOS software in the market
● user-friendly ● some can be used in various
operating systems (e.g.
Windows, MacOS, etc.)

● has limited access to ● might take time for users to be

features when in trial familiar with
version ● user must have prior
Disadvantage ● license expires knowledge in using such
● not compatible with software
open-source operating
systems (i.e. Linux OS)
● costly

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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Extend

Activity 1
Download and install your preferred offline editing software (either licensed or
open-source). Try to edit one of your photos and explain how the experience went. Write
your answer in the box below.

Guide
Remember that since this is your first time to use the program, you may explore at
least one for licensed (as trial version) and one for open-source software to weigh
your preferred program.

Activity 2
In line with activity 1, compare and contrast the experience you had when exploring a
licensed editing software versus open-source software. Write your answer in the box.

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Unit 6.2: Basic Techniques in Image Manipulation using Offline or Open Source
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Guide
You must install both licensed and open-source programs in your laptop or desktop
computer so you can compare and contrast both. Explain your answer with your
own opinion and your own words.

Evaluate

A. Answer the following completely in your own words.

1. Define image manipulation.

2. What are the basic techniques you need to know before you use editing software?

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3. What is the difference between licensed editing software and open-source editing
software?

4. Can you use licensed editing software in an open-source operating system? If yes,
how? If no, why not?

5. Why do you need to select a good raw image for cropping? Defend your answer.

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B. Answer the following comprehensively.

1. Do you think it is better to install a licensed image editing software? Defend your
answer.

2. What do you think is the best software for editing vector graphics? Explain your
answer.

3. What software do you prefer to use: license software, or open-source? Explain your
answer.

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4. How important do you think are text and colors in image manipulation? Justify your
answer.

5. What is your opinion about the quote “simplicity is beauty”? Explain your answer.

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Wrap Up
___________________________________________________________________________________________
● Image manipulation refers to the transformation of an image using various
techniques and methods to enhance the resulting image.
● Selected basic techniques in image manipulation are introduced. These are picking
the right image for cropping, combining multiple images, filtering, and text and
color.
● There are various image editing applications available to download but there are only
two kinds of offline software you can use: Licensed editing software and
open-source editing software.
● Licensed editing software has numerous kinds, but some are introduced. They are
Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Corel Paint.
● Plenty of open-source editing software is also available to download. A few of them
are the following: GIMP, Inkscape, Krita, and RawTherapee.
● Licensed editing software and open-source software may vary according to the
operating system used by the user. It is the sole preference of the user what
software he or she may install as long as he or she can navigate it properly.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Photo Credits

Krita 2.8 screenshot with its mascot Kiki.png by Tyson Tan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

Spot the difference.png is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia.

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Bibliography
Agarunov, Emil. “10 Techniques That Are Essential for Successful Photo Manipulation
Artwork.” Design & Illustration Envato Tuts . Envato Tuts. July 10, 2008.
https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/10-techniques-that-are-essential-for-successful-
photo-manipulation-artwork--psd-242.

“The Top 16 Paid and Free Photo Editors Online in 2020.” Shopify. September 12, 2018.
https://www.shopify.com/blog/14263381-18-free-and-paid-online-photo-editor-tools-
for-gorgeous-diy-product-photography.

FixThePhoto.com, Ann Young. “13 Best Photo Editing Software for PC in 2020.”
FixThePhoto.com. FixThePhoto.com. February 15, 2020.
https://fixthephoto.com/best-photo-editing-software-for-pc.html.

Lee, Gonzalo, and Gary. “Best Photo Editor Apps Free For Linux.” LinuxAndUbuntu.
December 6, 2019.
http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/10-best-free-photo-editors-for-linux.

Muchmore, Michael, Michael Muchmore, and PC Magazine. “The Best Photo Editing
Software for 2020.” PCMag Asia. March 21, 2020.
https://sea.pcmag.com/photo-editing/13168/the-best-photo-editing-software-for-202
0.

Scott, Sunil Kumar, Rudi T, Waseem Abbas, Tiffany, AzDerek, Rian Lebran, et al. “17 Best
Photo Editing Software for Photographers.” Envira Gallery. April 14, 2020.
https://enviragallery.com/best-photo-editing-software-for-photographers/.

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