Applied Layer Mask
Figure 1
STEP ONE. This is a continuation of my notes on how to Join Two Pictures with the GIMP. I am going to assume that you have read this and followed the example there (SEE STEP SEVEN FROM BLENDING TWO IMAGES WITH THE GIMP).
The blending technique darkened the Shuttle's nose and the white spire at the top of the launch pad tower. Since merging the two photos is accomplished by a gradual reduction in opacity of the Shuttle layer, the Shuttle layer became darker.
To make the Shuttle image a little more defined and dramatic, we will create a special selection (called a Mask) cuts out the background from behind the Shuttle in notes that follow.
NOTE: I assume you know basic operations contained in http://www.gimp.org/tutorials
/Lite_Quickies/
