This is an old thread. I am curious how much of it holds true today.
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As per AP - originally calibration is done on 2 steps - the old WB (White Balance) module and the new Color Calibration. I am trying to understand the manual darktable 4.4 user manual - color calibration but I am not perceiving that WB module is used anymore (in terms - not as a color picker) - it is left on the reference setting. Am I perceiving it correctly?
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My understanding is that the “Normalization values” a guidance for the exposure and black level correction. And the user is guided how to change them. With few trials - I was able to adjust “black offset” to zero but even with big offsets - I was unable to make “exposure compensation” zero. Is the user simply expected to put the number written (and not to expect that it will change to zero when the profile is re calculated)?
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To have a fairly universal profile - the suggestion is to create a preset that is based on the “as shot in camera” after applying the profile so the “matrix adaptation space” is applied on top of it.
On initial thought I understand why this would be the case. But then this is going to take the WB as recorded by the camera. And it can vary - Auto WB or fixed (by measurement - graycard or by estimate. Suppose the user used Auto WB - is the user expected to further estimate the WB by measuring the scene?
Also - the universal profile is based on natural light (good quality). Is there any difference when a profile is being created if the test shot is done using direct sunlight or cloudy or overcast?
What is the approach going to be if the shot is done using artificial light (like fluorescent / energy savers etc. not photo grade) - is the user expected to change back to “as shot in camera” or this would be not a needed step?
There are 3 icons at the bottom right of the color calibration
The re calculate and apply are self explanatory but what is “check output delta E” used for?