I've been trying many effects to get some of my pics to look like this but haven't come close and would like to know if anyone can come close to this using Gimp?
I don't know if I put this in the right place but forgive me if it isn't.

GIMP ACE Plugin and better, G'MIC with Local Contrast Enhancement. Afterwards some G'MIC anisotrophic filtering for cleanup.

Ok, but what gimp ace plugin and better?

Found it but as with the pspi plug, it won't work for me...thanks anyway.

Get G'MIC; much more powerful arsenal. Can just do it all using this plugin alone (HDR, contrast enhancement, and anisotrophic smoothing).

Check out this thread. It describes one method to achieve the effect you are looking for.

Thank you lylejk and GnuTux, I'm going to look them over now and come back with a result. All of your assistance is very much appreciated.

Here is another thread that might help.

These type of images rely heavily on your selection tools and layer masks, to isolate your subject.

The suggested threads, which showcase this technique. Should steer you in the right direction.

I did the image above rather quickly using the Free Selection tool to isolate MJ and a layer mask for the hoop.

I used the Fattal02 GEGL op (under the Tools menu), and desaturated the background, to produce the following:


XCF file available at:
http://barn.kerosenecow.net/u/saul/m/fattal-dunks-xcf/

Wow really love this effect gentlemen. Thanks for the links to the threads.

Ok, it's not the best quality pic but tried it on my nephew. Any tips on what you see could've been done better?

Got to see the original image, to make any kind of assessment on how it came out.
Looks pretty good though.

Oh yea, I forgot that part...lol, here it is