Actually, here’s a second take, less flashy, more detailed.
20260315_0036_03.CR2.xmp (30.5 KB)
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hello,
A nice opportunity and a good exercise to test the modules I’m currently experimenting with: “Contrast & Texture” and a “scene-referenced” version of Basecurve.
experimental version of Darktable
Christian
Hello,
my first play.
I’m trying out different blend modes to adding constrast to the snow.
20260315_0036.CR2.xmp (15.2 KB)
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I take lots of photos like this (well not exacty like this one – great action shot!, I mean on the snow) and I have a local contrast preset that I find it useful as it usually brings up with zero effort all the lines and the details in the snow.
In my attempt here I have also used a diffuse-sharpen preset (lens deblur) which does add something extra but the majority of the work is via the lc masked preset:
20260315_0036_01.CR2.xmp (10.2 KB)
PS: Nice board! Is it the Korua Dart? I tried two years ago and then I got a Pencil split just because I loved the feeling and the looks of it.
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@Hugal31 Welcome to the forum!
Good start by sharing a nice PlayRaw, which looks quite sensitive to a combination of user hardware, software, preferences and editing choices.
I agree that @Popanz’s is like course sandpaper. Ouch, if anyone falls on that icy snow! 
There are 3 answers to this:
- The classic one, as others pointd out, is the contrast equalizer
- The newer, probably technically more correct one, is the fine local contrast preset of the diffuse and sharpen module. I tried this, but it was too subtle, and pushingit the image started falling apart. Thinking of… should’ve also tried the normal local contrast preset, just to check.
- The newest is, use agX and grab the details with the pivottarget output picker. This will make sure that your chosen area should be hit with the most significant contrast increase.
I went for this third option. Then I decreased the the slope and increased lift, still in AgX, to finish it of.
As last touches, I applied the very contrasty tri-x 400 LUT from t3mujinpack, you can find it online. Yeah, this pic screamed for black and white.
No sidecar file though. I have some custom LUTs I created just last weekend, and I applied one simulating the Wratten 29 deep red filter, wich further enhanced the effect you are after. Masked out the red snowboard so that it remains as dark as you see.
Unfortunately it means that the sidecar file wouldn’t work, and that part you won’t be able to reproduce, probably leaving you with a somewhat more subtle effect.
Also I completely forgot how to get one, sorry 
Tried “Write sidecar files” did nothing visible and now im rushing to walk my dog
Thanks, indeed the local contrast with a mask works quite well and fast!
Yes, that is a Korua Dart, good eye! My friend really enjoys carving with it 
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