Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Here's some entertainment then for everyone. Below is a link to an old raw file and the JPEG I created from that raw file using exclusively DarkTable. The key is that all editing was accomplished in DarkTable without recourse to any other editing software.

The raw file is 20 megabytes and so my disk storage requirement remains 20 megabytes with the edit completed. DarkTable's parametric editing instructions saved are only a few kilobytes and not enough to even change 20.0 megabytes to 20.1.

Because I only used DarkTable to do the editing I also have the advantage of a raw workflow that is 100% non-destructive and non-linearly re-editable. Were I to use a second app like PS for part of the edit I would lose that advantage (I hate that).

So here's the fun then: Try and match my DarkTable edit using only another raw processor like LR or Exposure X or ____________ as long as the app isn't a raster editor like PS or Affinity or GIMP that does the editing on a RGB pixel image.

See how far you can get.

Joe

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rb4gti5iyt8jbhn/_DSC4280.SR2?dl=0

(Download)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

And you never get what you don't pay for . . . Just sayin'

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

It's not really an alternative to Lightroom.

It feels slower when it comes to processing an image (computer processing time), much slower and cluttered interface (user time spent looking for stuff), non-intuitive and poorly organized, no image management (you can apply keywords or "tags" in Darktable speak - but you can't search for anything using a tag), and overall, the filters and effects, while interesting, seem to lack the crispness and quality of Lightroom (and Capture One, ON1 Raw, and DXO PhotoLab2 - other raw editors that I also use). Batch processing involves saving a set of history changes as a style, which can then be applied to other images either in total or partially, and you get to choose which parts you want to apply - this is slow and awkward. I don't like things like when you apply an adjustment like shadow revealing, it also applies a blur to the areas being targeted. While you can dig into the filter and adjust the amount of blur, it can really be a pain to do this on every image that you lighten shadows on.

If you enjoy sitting in front of your computer fussing over an image, then Darktable is worth looking at. If you want to get to a suitable result quickly Lightroom is still hard to beat.

You may want to take a look at this analysis:

https://tuxoche.com/2018/01/18/darktable-no-lightroom-alternative/
https://tuxoche.com/2018/02/01/darktable-no-lightroom-alternative-ii/

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Those links are much of a review to be honest.

Darktable and all other software IS actually an alternative to Lightroom as much as Lightroom is an alternative to all others. Not sure how this turned into a "my dad is better than your dad" thread, but it really isn't.

Darktable can and does provide search capabilities. Simple words can be searched or complete strings including Regex style searches can be achieved. It's all about learning the software (only if you want to of course).

As far as UI, layout, and how the modules perform their functions, that is a very personal preference. If there is other software that satisfies those preferences, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with using what makes you feel comfortable.


Again, Adobe makes fantastic products and own the market for their specialty. But there is amazing software out there that produces equally great results, including Darktable. I'm glad software development is breaking from doing it "the Adobe way", just like in the OS market breaking free from Windows and Apple.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I spent some time with Darktable and didn't care for it. I have 4 go-to raw processors - LR/ACR, DXO, On1 and Capture One - all are considered "workflow enhanced" raw converters and are very fast without the clumsiness of Darktable. It does have a significant learning curve, partly because documentation and tutorials are pretty thin. Yes, it is very much a personal preference - the gold standard is clearly Lightroom/ACR, and possibly Capture One - and the rest are just playing catch-up. I don't see very many photographers who are earning their living through photography investing the time it takes to master Darktable, when faster, easier to use products exist that do not require such a learning curve.

Regarding searches, I often repeat searches for specific image categories - and saving a search criteria in LR is so easy - it's intuitive. And you can very easily make collections and add images to multiple collections with just a couple of keystrokes. There is a reason why LR and Adobe are so widely used. But, to each his own - I totally agree with you.