How can I get this dark photo looking realistic?

[Christian-B (Christian Bouhon)]

@kuro68k

I have tried playing with exposure and filmic RGB

I’d advise you to start with Sigmoid, and suggest you watch Boris’s last three videos

Editing moments with darktable

New episode: sigmoid and contrasts: [Darktable Episode 88: sigmoid and contrasts] This is partial answer from the first point from @europlatus’ request, as the response for the very important topic about contrasts.

Editing moments with darktable

New episode: sigmoid and contrasts part 2 [Darktable Episode 89: sigmoid and contrasts part 2]

Editing moments with darktable

New episode: local contrasts in the highlights: [Darktable Episode 90: Local contrasts in the highlights] Many thanks to @europlatus, who provided me with some raw files for this video! Two of them have been used in the video.

Here’s my proposal with Sigmoid,

PXL_20241208_051828478.RAW-02.ORIGINAL.dng.xmp (18.6 KB)
Darktable 5.1 (master)
Greetings,
Christian