Just a big thank you to everyone invlved in making Darktable what it , s today.
It has taken me about a year or more - from the version 2.x as my starting point, to the version 3 and eventually learning how to use 3 workflows to handle the primary duties of turning a raw file into something visually pleasing, and doing this effectively.
Starting of with some adjustment of the Exposure in the Exposure module.
Then one of these 3
Method 1 based on the filmic-rgb module
Method 2 based on using the base curve module
Method 3 based on using the Sony official Slog 3 to Rec 909 LUT, in the 3D-LUT module
Typically the result of this is enhanced with additional saturation via the output saturation in the Color Balance module
Optionally some Shadows and Highlights processing as needed in the related module.
And finally some cropping, then straight to export.
Any other modules are used occasionally typically only to fix problems or to creatively enhance to taste, but for me this has become rare.
Coupled with learning how to take better pics, in the 1st place, I can finally be happy and satisfied with this hobby, and the days of frustration are behind me. Experience and Persistence, giving up, taking a break for a few weeks/months and revisiting the effort, inspired by excellent reads and Youtube videos, including those from Aurelien, one of darktables developers.
Eventually it all makes sense.
The version 3.4 is so much more “professional”, and I no longer pine for the ease or results of Adobe Lightroom or any other commercial software.
With darktable, I can take pictures, edit them now I understand the tool, as well as photography in general, and share these pics. A great lifetime achievement for me
You who contribute to darktable deserve the adulation - you rock.!
