How to Turn a Digital Photo Into a Polaroid Using Gimp

Open the photo in GIMP and add an Alpha Channel (JPEG files don't have an alpha channel, so change it to a format that does)., Now enlarge the image (the canvas), to make room for the Polaroid border (Image > Canvas Size). , Move (drag & drop) the...

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open the photo in GIMP and add an Alpha Channel (JPEG files don't have an alpha channel

You will be working with transparency (Layer > Transparency > Add Alpha Channel).

Step 2: so change it to a format that does).

,,, For a realistic Polaroid, make the bottom border thicker. , This example has a very light grey as foreground color and fill the rectangle with a gradient from light grey to white.

The result is like this, it starts to resemble a photo. ,, Now the photo has a slight 3D look. ,,, This is how it should look. , (At the end of the article, an alternate way to get the effect using another filter, iWarp, will be explained). , You can make them identical (copy) or slightly different, depending on what bend you want.

The result will be something like this; the paper is a bit displaced from the shadow, but that will be dealt with next. , You should have two layers at this time. , Almost done.

You could stop here if we want, but there is more. , So start by creating a new transparent layer on top. (If confused, refer to picture 4}. ,,,,, We can leave the background solid or remove it and have transparency:
Or fill the background with a texture (Here a cork board texture).

As I said above, I am not very happy with the results of the Curve Bend effect in GIMP, so we can use another filter instead, IWarp (Filters > Distorts > IWarp). , With some experimenting you can get to something like this.

And get to a smoother final result.

Step 3: Now enlarge the image (the canvas)

Step 4: to make room for the Polaroid border (Image > Canvas Size).

Step 5: Move (drag & drop) the active photo somewhere in the middle of the enlarged canvas.

Step 6: Add a new layer (Layer > New Layer) and move it (drag & drop) under the photo layer

Step 7: it will be used to hold the paper border.

Step 8: Use the Rectangle Select Tool to make a rectangular selection in the new layer around the photo

Step 9: it will be the border.

Step 10: Fill the selected rectangle with white

Step 11: as it is paper

Step 12: or with a very light grey

Step 13: to get a bit of contrast

Step 14: as if the photo is over a white background.

Step 15: For increased realism

Step 16: add a small drop shadow (Filters > Light and Shadow > Drop Shadow).

Step 17: Select some values as you like; here

Step 18: small values are used.

Step 19: Use the text tool

Step 20: select a nice hand font (we want a realistic effect

Step 21: remember) and write something.

Step 22: To get a clearer view

Step 23: add a new layer

Step 24: fill it with white and move it at the bottom (under the drop shadow).

Step 25: Now merge down the text layer and the photo with the paper layer

Step 26: we need them in one piece for the next step (bending).

Step 27: Now bend the photo a little.

Step 28: So use the Curve Bend filter (Filters > Distorts > Curve Bend)

Step 29: make sure Smoothing and Antialiasing are checked

Step 30: check Live Preview too if you want

Step 31: and play with the upper and lower Curve for Border.

Step 32: Move the photo layer to fit the shadow and then merge them together.

Step 33: Use the Rotate Tool and rotate the photo layer a bit for even more realism.

Step 34: Add a piece of adhesive tape to keep the photo "glued".

Step 35: On this empty layer

Step 36: make a rectangular selection and fill it with some color (depending on what type of adhesive tape you like).

Step 37: Use the Eraser Tool and make the tape ends look realistic:

Step 38: Select the tape (a rectangular selection around it)

Step 39: rotate it and move in the desired position (a corner or a margin):

Step 40: For a relief look

Step 41: add a slight drop shadow to the tape (Smaller values were used compared with the ones used for the paper's shadow).

Step 42: Merge the tape layer with its shadow and decrease the opacity if you want a transparent tape: And this time you really are done.

Step 43: Use the Deform Mode with a large deform radius and move the edges and corners.

Detailed Guide