So, GIMP has this cool trick where you can animate a series of images as a GIF by placing images as layers then saving as GIF and choosing to save layers as animation in the resulting dialog. Simple, and with a little practice, probably successful design.
tags: GIMP, GNU, GPL, open source, creative commons, self-portrait, animation, motion, postaday2011
This is a modified photo from 1913 of a woman named Geraldine Ferrar, of whom I have no knowledge other than the photo. I found it in the public domain, which I assume is kind of obvious. All I did to it was bring it into the GIMP, duplicate the layer to create a background image, remove the background content of the original with a soft edged eraser brush, then create a new transparent layer between those two layers to paint on. I then painted the rays you see on the transparent layer using a brush in the shape of those rays. A simple effect, but it certainly gives some focus to Ms. Ferrar.
tags: public domain, photo, photo manipulation, GIMP, GNU, GPL, creative commons, open source, eraser, rays, dailypost2011