Dear, DT has several modules, but following Pareto’s rule, which 20% of the modules would be able to produce more than 80% of the results in the photos? I don’t intend to master all the DT modules, but I would like to delve into the ones that are high-impact in photos. From what I’ve seen so far: filmic, color calibration, rgb color balance, and…? In your opinion, which modules are most effective and have the most impact on photographs?
1 Like
You’re on the right track, no need to learn all the modules up front.
The most high impact for me (and you’ll get a different answer from everyone, I’m sure) are:
- exposure
- Filmic RGB
- Color Balance RGB
- Diffuse or Sharpen (the preset for capture sharpneing and the local contrast preset)
- Tone Equalizer
- Highlight Reconstruction (guided lapsians and the two new ones that’ll be out in 4.2, inpaint opposed and segmentation based).
The thing that makes darktable really powerful compared to other raw editors, and certainly something you’ll want to master: masking and multiple instances. Once you really understand masks and can confidently make selections, you’ll be able to get a lot further.
8 Likes
I completely agree with you @paperdigits. With color calibration added on your list, you have I think the best full list.
Of course, beside, we need reduction noise (profiled), lens correction ones.
2 Likes
I would add blend modes 
A good starting point may be choosing one of these options to show the modules recommended for workflow beginner or workflow scene referred. Definitely avoid all modules.
1 Like
Beside what is already written above I reguraly use “lens correction”, “denoise(profiled)”, “crop” and “rotate and perspective”.
3 Likes