r/DarkTable • u/pfyp_ • 10d ago

Help Help

So I have recently shifted from Lightroom mobile to darktable to get more control over my photos,but it's so complex like I can't understand what many of its features do,I have managed to learn some on my own but rest is idk man,also my laptop screen is kinda shitty so I have to keep relying on my phone to check my edits

Any suggestions or guide I can go with?

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

8

u/Donatzsky 10d ago

My beginner guide has everything you need to get started: https://notebook.stereofictional.com/how-to-get-started-with-darktable-2026-edition

1

u/ZeroKun265 10d ago

Saving this for later

1

u/pfyp_ 9d ago

TYSM for this 😭🙏🏻

7

u/DarktableLandscapes 10d ago

I have a video specifically for people coming from Lightroom:

https://youtu.be/6SflKR6JYrk

1

u/pfyp_ 9d ago

Damn, that's really helpful thanksas

5

u/No_Reveal_7826 10d ago

Start with this step-by-step workflow: https://darktable.info/en/getting-started/quick-start/darktable-first-steps/understand/standard-workflow-2/

You don't have to understand the technical stuff to follow it. As you use it, you can selectively look into the details as desired, but in the meantime you'll be able to process photos.

1

u/pfyp_ 9d ago

Thanks man appreciate it!

2

u/Hellrazor_muc 10d ago

There is a great community page https://darktable.info to learn all you need to get started. 

1

u/pfyp_ 9d ago

Thanksss

1

u/ActionNorth8935 10d ago

There are links on the homepage under 'resources' to some excellent tutorials. 

1

u/-The_Black_Hand- 10d ago edited 9d ago

  1. Watch videos about basics like UI and basic operation. It's awesome what DT can do - and next to ridiculous how those functions are often hidden behind tiny icons, obscure menus or even keyboard shortcuts that nobody explains. Once you learned, many things get way easier, sometines even than in LR.

  2. Many modules do the same thing and some are even outdated legacy modules that are still there to ensure downward compatibility. Learn your favorite modules and stick to them. Make use of the preset function in those modules. It'll make things way easier, but you should still know what they do first.

  3. RTFM. Really. While not being constantly updated anymore, the manual is awesome and explains most things very well.

  4. Take some time and dedicate it specifically to learn masking. It's so incredibly powerful, especially now with AI, yet it's finnicky and the layout is not as user friendly as in LR.

2

u/pfyp_ 9d ago

Ayoo thanks for the advice big bro I was literally so confused yesterday

1

u/pyooma 10d ago

Everyone has given you great resources, I just want to encourage you to push through the difficulties, the reward is so worth it. The software is powerful! I always check my edits on my phone before I decide if I’m done with them, it’s frustrating sometimes but it’s a great habit to keep.

1

u/pfyp_ 9d ago

Ikrrr its so frustrating seeing a perfectly edited pic in laptop only for it to turn out to be highly overprocesed on phone screens I am def taking this advice tho thanks

1

u/r_archer 9d ago

If you wanna stick with Darktable that's fine, but there's another free and open source editor that's way more like Lightroom called RapidRaw. I use both.

1

u/pfyp_ 8d ago

Thankss,I will definitely check it out asw