The picture below is edited using the GIMP software or GNU Image Manipulation Program, one of the best freely available photo editing software.

It is a powerful tool and amateur photographers and web designers should find it useful.

This is the original image which is edited using the gradient –> subtract –> radial tool.

Below is how the interface looks like. To produce the first image above, select gradient, subtract and radial and just draw a line anywhere, in any direction, on the picture to achieve the “spot light effect”. If you are not satisfied with the result, just undo the one who had just drawn and draw another until you get the the desired effect.

Some say GIMP is the best substitute for Photoshop.

My brother Nuar took this close up picture of a fungus with his Nikon D300.