Creating the Orton Effect in the GIMP

This post gives step-by-step instructions for two methods of creating the Orton effect using the GIMP open-source software. The directions assume you have the GIMP loaded on your computer and are moderately familiar with its use. For how to get started with the GIMP see this post: Get going with the GIMP.

What is the Orton Effect?

The Orton Effect uses layers of the same composition with different exposures and amount of focus to create a dreamy, almost other-worldly effect. It was invented by Michael Orton in the 1980s to get a watercolor sort of effect.

The original Orton effect combines old-school slide film exposures of the same subject that were exposed differently. The simplest method was to use a sharply in-focus, over-exposed layer and an out of focus layer.

Fast forward to today. Digital photo processing software, with the many filters and layering modes available, makes it easy and fun to experiment with this effect. It can be used subtly to add a touch of atmosphere or you can go whole hog and create an abstract painterly effect.

All of the articles I found with directions for this effect were for Adobe Photoshop. I did some research and experimentation and have developed directions for creating this effect using the GIMP (open-source software).

How to get the Orton effect using the GIMP

There are various ways to do this. I’ll describe two simple ones below.

Method One-three layers

I prefer this method, which uses 3 layers, because it has more ways that you can make adjustments.

Step One: Choose an image and do basic edits on it: exposure adjustments and saturation.

Step Two: Make three layers that are copies of the basic image (Layer>Duplicate layer). I like to put these into a layer group.

Step Three: Now that you have a stack of three identical images, make the blend mode of the middle layer “screen”. This has the effect of creating the over exposed layer.

Step Four: Change the mode of the third (top) layer to “Multiply”. Then choose the Gaussian Blur filter and blur the layer until you like the effects. Usually you use an amount that is approximately the resolution of the image, e.g.,for a 20 Megapixel image use about 20.

Step five: Now for the fun part: Experiment

Some possibilities:

• Change the opacity of any of the layers (except the base!).
• Try different blend modes for the top layer.
• Adjust the exposure on any of the layers.
• Add a layer mask to the Orton effect to apply it selectively to parts of the image.
• Add a high pass filter above the Orton Effect image, made from the base image to sharpen details, you can use a layer mask to do this selectively.

Method Two-two layers

The second method is quicker but has fewer ways to experiment, it uses two layers.

Step One: Choose an image and do basic edits.

Step Two: Make two copies of the basic image. I like to put these into a layer group.

Step Three: Blur the top layer (experiment but use size x=size y equal to about the number of megapixels in photo. E.g., 16 for a 16 megapixel image) and either change its opacity and/or its layer mode. Filters>Blur>Gaussian blur.

Step Four: Experiment with exposure, different layer modes and/or opacity for the Orton adjustment layer.

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The examples show how you can dramatically change the mood of an image by using this effect. A milder effect can be achieved by reducing the opacity of the Orton effect layer.