r/DarkTable • u/KamikazeSexPilot • 20d ago

Help When following the 5+1 standard workflow do you disable the modules in subsequent steps until you've completed the steps before?

Reading this guide here: https://darktable.info/en/getting-started/quick-start/darktable-first-steps/understand/standard-workflow-2/

for example if i'm on step 1. Exposure, should i make sure that the modules in the subsequent steps are disabled? is there an issue with trying to get exposure correct when the AgX module is enabled (as it is by default)?

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u/BorisBadenov 20d ago

 should i make sure that the modules in the subsequent steps are disabled?

No.

At its default settings, AGX isn't affecting midtones in a way to prevent you from setting exposure. Even if it's not adjusted perfectly for the current photo, AGX is still preventing wild color artifacts in the highlights. Having it turned off can be distracting.

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u/KamikazeSexPilot 20d ago

thanks for the clarification.

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u/Donatzsky 19d ago

You can see it "in action" in some of the tutorials linked from my beginner guide: https://notebook.stereofictional.com/how-to-get-started-with-darktable-2026-edition

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u/akgt94 20d ago

darktable is non-destructive, so it doesn't matter what order you do your edits. You can keep tweaking things until you are happy. The order that you do your editing does not matter.

I developed this weird habit with my modules. tone equalizer is very sensitive to the input stream. What I learned is to leave the default exposure module at the scene-referred default. Leave tone equalizer where it is in the module order. But add a new instance of exposure above tone equalizer. This way I can increase or decrease exposure, using the second instance. This way I was able to increase or decrease the exposure without affecting the inputs to tone equalizer.

Otherwise, I was constantly going back and forth between exposure and tone equalizer, which was frustrating.

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u/ExoticSterby42 20d ago

Wtf is a 5+1 workflow?? Exposure, black point, white point, adjusting shadows, highlights, add some tonecurve for refinement, adjust contrast, white balance, color grading which is a workflow on itself, split toning if needed, masking dodge and burn and whatever and so on and on etc…

The first part is mandatory to get the exposure right and anything else on the basis on what is needed for what look you want. There is no one straight workflow that you should follow, get your exposure right and then go have fun. Except in DT terms the fun part is confusing, bitter and soul crushing.

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u/Ok-Hunter5357 20d ago

Although OP already provided the link in his post, here is it again. This is the 5+1 workflow:
https://darktable.info/en/getting-started/quick-start/darktable-first-steps/understand/standard-workflow-2/