Module order - is this right module order

Processing
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Relatively new to darktable and raw processing. I don’t claim I understand all of it all and hence the question. I did google searches and searches on this site, but still slightly confused.

I’ve no issues about the order darktable imposes by default. Developers have decided what is best and I’m happy with that. My problem starts after that. I am usually confused in which order I should be using modules to be more optimal and do I even need to worry about this. I’m relatively happy with my results but still trying to learn what is best.

With darktable 3.6, I typically start with exposure, filmik, then if If I notice noise, denoise module. Then I tinker with color balance RGB, contrast equilizer for sharpening and local contrast for clarity. I use presets for last two. Finally crop if image needs cropping.

Is there certain order I need to follow? I typically don’t stray beyond these modules as I’m happy with the results. If needed I tinker with tone equalizer, but mostly that’s it.

2

No, you don’t have to follow any order of using the modules.

My usage, generally, is:

  1. White balance/Color Calibration
  2. Exposure
  3. Local Contrast (all I do is turn it on)
  4. Filmic RGB
  5. Crop/Crop and Rotate
  6. Color Balance RGB using the “restore basic colorfulness preset”.

You should have a pretty good looking image by now. Then I usually move to localized adjustments.

Seems like what you’re doing is generally good. Just.continue to fine tune it to your taste.

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In my case, it depends on the final image I want to achieve. One thing to remember is, at least in dt, module order (pixelpipe) and adjustment order can be different (especially when using duplicate instances of a module).

But, generally, my editing process is divided into two main phases, the correction phase, and the stylization phase. The correction phase is easier especially if you already have a good RAW image, and the default module order works well. For the stylization phase (grading, fx, etc), it depends on the style itself and will be (slightly) different from person to person.

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