I’m new to Darktable and editing in general, and I’m a bit lost on figuring out which module is the “correct” one.
I’m interested in black & white at the moment, and I’ve found that there are multiple modules that do the same (or similar) thing. Tone curve, Filmic RGB, Local contrast, Tone equalizer.
Which ones should I use? Or, which ones should I not use when I’m already using something else?
So far I’ve been using Tone curve, Local contrast, and Tone equalizer primarily. Just discovered Filmic RGB is also quite powerful and I can do some things with it that I haven’t been able to do with the others.
Local contrast at least has been fairly straightforward, and it isn’t something the others can do.
Maybe if you share one image in the Playraw category you could look at the numerous approaches people take to processing images. There is no single correct answer.
Yes, I start with the monochrome module. But then I want to increase contrast for a more dramatic look. This is where I get a bit lost on the different modules that do similar things. I’ve been mixing and matching them as I try to achieve the look I want, but I’m wondering if I’m holding it wrong, and if there’s a more “correct” way to do it.
I’d like to, eventually, know exactly what the module sliders mean, so that I can plan ahead next time.
For black and white I advise you to check in Boris Hajdukovic youtube videos the episodes 48, 49, and 50 and you are set.
Thank you, I’ll take a look at those.
Maybe if you share one image in the Playraw category you could look at the numerous approaches people take to processing images. There is no single correct answer.
Thanks, I might post something there at some point.
So an absolute beginner to editing and darktable, good to meet you.
A new install of darktable will default to a scene referred workflow for… reasons. Imports will get a 0.7ev exposure bump and filmic rgb applied. Don’t worry about that, let them do their thing and move on.
Basic image corrections will do no harm and its a good habit to get into, denoise profile, hot pixel, chromatic aberrations, lens corrections. Defaults are good enough at this point.
Colour prep for b&w. Colour balance rgb is your friend here, go nuts. The aim is to give as much strong colour variation as possible to convert into lots of lovely b&w tones.
Conversion. Colour calibration has already been done, start a new instance, control shift and drag the module above cbrgb. Adjustments there will be enhanced / reduced by this new instance of cc. (Thoughts on this, anyone?) Hit the grey tab and pull the rgb sliders around and see what happens. I find red at 50 -60% gives a nice contrasty start but this will depend on the image. Tones and colors (yes they’re still there) can be further adjusted with brightness and colourfullness tabs. You won’t need to play with the channel mixer (rgb tabs) and CATs already been done, leave it alone.
Those two modules offer plenty of adjustments for b&w, more are unnecessary (ar this stage).
Is this the correct method? No. It’s a method. If you like the results it’s correct.
Read the manual and watch the 'tubes by Bruce, Gus & Borris (overview —> in depth)
Drop an edit with its xmp (and licence) into playraw and show us what you’ve done and folks here will show what else can be done.