Get Sharper Images Using Blur and Blending

Use GIMPs blur filters and layer blending modes to add a bit of sharpness to images for a more vivid result. Duplicate the original layer twice, Layer - Duplicate Layer (D). Name the lower layer Sharpen and the upper layer Sharpen Burn.

Create a group with these two layers. Create a Group folder, Layer - New Layer Group . Rename the folder as Sharpen Group. Then, drag the two layers into the folder, Sharpen Burn on top.

Change the blending modes. Select the Sharpen Group folder, then change its Blending Mode to Overlay.

Burn and invert the layer. Select the top layer in the group, Sharpen Burn, and set its Blending Mode to Burn. Invert the layer, Colors - Invert. The image will appear to return to the way it looked originally before you changed the blending modes.

Sharpen with Selective Gaussian Blur. With the Sharpen Burn layer still selected go Filters - Blur - Selective Gaussian Blur, keep it subtle and the numbers small, Radius: 5, Max. Delta : 5

In the Layers pallet, select the Sharpen Group and reduce the Opacity to about 3035%.

You can see the effect of your work by hiding the Sharpen Group to reveal the original image.

You may add a touch of Unsharp Mask, Filters - Enhance - Unsharp Mask..., along with this technique for some added crispness. I used Radius: 5, Amount: 10.00, and Threshold: 25.

This technique has been developed for GIMP from the following: Cook, C. (2014, March 26). Sharpening With Blur Bring Back Insane Detail With This Quick Technique. Retrieved from http://fstoppers.com/sharpening-withblur-bring-back-insane-detail-with-this-quick-technique