Can I Use GIMP to Edit My Checkerboard Images for Synthetic Schlieren Imaging?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on using GIMP and ImageMagick for editing checkerboard images in synthetic schlieren imaging experiments. Users shared techniques for creating checkerboard patterns, including a command line method using ImageMagick on Ubuntu Linux. The conversation highlighted the importance of image processing techniques such as Gaussian blur and contrast adjustment to enhance visibility of convection currents in the images. Additionally, participants discussed the significance of image registration and the use of RAW or TIFF formats for better results in post-processing.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with synthetic schlieren imaging techniques
  • Basic knowledge of image processing software such as GIMP or Photoshop
  • Experience with command line tools, specifically ImageMagick
  • Understanding of camera settings and image registration principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn advanced image processing techniques in GIMP for enhancing contrast and brightness
  • Explore ImageMagick commands for creating and manipulating checkerboard images
  • Research the principles of Gaussian blur and its application in image processing
  • Investigate the use of RAW and TIFF file formats for improved image quality in post-processing
USEFUL FOR

Researchers, photographers, and hobbyists interested in synthetic schlieren imaging, image processing, and those looking to enhance their skills in using GIMP and ImageMagick for scientific visualization projects.

  • #31
sophiecentaur said:
This is very encouraging. Have you considered do a bit of tiffling with 'curves and levels' on Photoshop (or equivalent) to make the image more visible to the eye? It's not cheating and would make the results much more accessible. Increase the gain / slope a bit but keep the blacks black.
Your program could easily identify the brightness range and do some useful scaling on its own, without human intervention.
Thank you for your interest and observations of my maximum entropy noise reduction (MENR) hobby project. I don't have Photoshop. I use OpenCV and program subroutines in C++. I have to figure out how to implement histogram equalization of the histogram of the entire image coupled with a local stretching function. I have, however, developed an alternate technique which I call "semi-holographic contrast enhancement"(SHCE).
For your amusement, I processed the two images recently posted by @Keith_McClary using both MENR and SHCE. For Keith's image
47.JPG

MENR yields
47me.jpg

I processed this image with SHCE to get
47holo.jpg


For Keith's image:
candle.JPG

MENR yields
candleme.jpg

Processing this image with SHCE yields
candleholo.jpg
 
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  • #32
Fred Wright said:
I don't have Photoshop. I use OpenCV and program subroutines in C++.
Great result. It's not necessary to choose between approaches. The high level packages are brilliant but you will, no doubt, be frustrated at what they won't do but don't discount them.

Don't go for Photoshop (£££) unless you are a photography enthusiast but there are many free image processing apps which work at a high level and are easy to interact with. GIMP is an open source package which has been around for years. It's very easy to do what you want with images because its UI is pretty much intuitive. Imo it would certainly be worth while to try it and possibly get a subjectively optimum result. There are a range of filters and other controls which are easy to tinker with and rapidly get to know.