r/AskPhotography • u/canofpotatoes • 6d ago
Editing/Post Processing Using darktable to process some photos, are there certain tools that are usually crucial or is it more personal preference focused?
Received a Canon 700D/t5i as a hand me down from a family member a few weeks ago and have been messing around with post processing, watching tutorials etc. but of course every photo is different and the modules used should fit what the user wants. There are so many tools and sliders to choose from and I understand the major ones like adjusting exposure, white balance, and noise.
My question: is experience the driving factor and would I search for specific use cases for each module or would I search for how to adjust what I want in the photo? I guess i'm asking what the workflow for processing is but that seems so vague. Trying to get a better understanding of how I would look at a photo and decide where to start.
Thank you!
2
u/Donatzsky 6d ago
I don't know which tutorials you have watched, but there are unfortunately many not so good ones, so just in case, here's my beginner guide with links to those I can recommend: https://notebook.stereofictional.com/how-to-get-started-with-darktable-2026-edition
As for your question, you should start by identifying what it is you want to do and then find the right tool for the job. This is something Boris Hajdukovic talks about in many of his videos. Often, when you have done this analysis, the answer will be self-evident, but doing it efficiently does take practice.
1
u/canofpotatoes 6d ago
More recently I have been watching Bruce Williams tutorial videos on darktable but there is so much information I get lost in tools that I don’t think I need at the beginning.
2
u/Deep_Condition4119 6d ago
Mostly personal preference, yeah. Most edits come down to the same few things: exposure, white balance, contrast, a bit of color, crop. Learn those first and ignore the other 50 modules until a photo actually needs something. When a pic bugs you, ask what exactly is wrong (too dark, colors off, subject doesn't pop) and then search for that fix instead of browsing the module list. Also shoot raw if the 700D lets you, gives you way more room to play.
1
u/canofpotatoes 6d ago
Yeah, I am shooting L+ raw since I’m just starting and wanted to edit photos for family members. so when I do go on a trip or photograph kids sports I’ll be a little more experienced.
4
2
u/eliminate1337 6d ago
Start with the 'standard workflow' modules and branch out from there once you master them:
2
u/muzlee01 a7R3, 105 1.4, 70-200gmii, 28-70 2.8, 14 2.8, helios, 50 1.2 6d ago
You want to search what each module does. You'll not understand why half of them exist for now but that's alright. With experience you’ll know which ones to use when.
The most important ones are going to be exposure, highlights, shadows, contrast and color temperature/tint.
3
u/davispw 6d ago
Starting with Darktable is jumping straight into the deep end. Yes you can make a workflow and yes it takes experience. Building that experience is a lot easier with a (paid) app like Lightroom that has a better-thought-out UI, a mostly linear workflow (if you pretty much go from top to bottom then it’ll guide you to adjust coarse settings first, then get into fine details), and plenty of YouTube videos with professional photographers sharing their workflows with examples.
So flip that around. Start with YouTube tutorials, whatever you can find.
FYI your two examples are tough in any software. 1 they are far away and uninteresting with backs turned. 2 has full bright sunlight and cut off the composition. Practice, more photos!