Guides
Learn the basics of RAW photo editing in Darktable through a step-by-step set of beginner-friendly guides. Each guide builds on the previous one, helping you slowly learn the editing process without becoming overwhelmed. By the end of the series, you will understand the main tools used to turn flat RAW photos into balanced and polished images.
01
Getting Started
Learn the basic layout and workflow of Darktable. This guide explains how to import RAW images, navigate the Lighttable and Darkroom views, and understand where editing tools are located. It also introduces helpful editing habits that will make learning Darktable easier as you continue through the guides.
What you will learn:
-
The difference between Lighttable and Darkroom
-
How to import RAW files
-
Where editing modules are located
-
Basic navigation and workflow tips
02
Exposure
& Brightness
Learn how to control the overall brightness of a RAW image using the Exposure module and Filmic RGB. This guide explains how to read the histogram, recover bright or dark areas, and create a balanced exposure before moving into more advanced edits.
What you will learn:
-
How to read the histogram
-
How to avoid clipping and lost detail
-
Why Filmic RGB is important
-
How to fix dark or bright photos
03
Contrast, Highlights,
& Shadows
Learn how to improve depth and tonal balance in your images using Tone Equalizer and Velvia. This guide focuses on making photos feel more dynamic while recovering detail in bright skies and dark shadow areas.
What you will learn:
-
How Tone Equalizer improves tonal control
-
How to balance highlights and shadows
-
How Velvia strengthens colors naturally
-
How contrast affects depth
04
Color Correction
Learn how to improve color and tonal balance using the Color Balance RGB module. This guide focuses on simple master slider adjustments that make RAW photos look more colorful, balanced, and visually appealing without overediting.
What you will learn:
-
How to improve overall color
-
How to make images look less flat
-
How chroma affects color intensity
-
How brilliance affects brightness and depth
05
Noise Reduction
& Sharpening
Learn how to clean up noisy images while restoring detail and clarity. This guide explains how to use Denoise (Profiled) and Sharpen together to smooth grainy areas and improve image sharpness without creating an unnatural look.
What you will learn:
-
How to reduce digital noise
-
Why sharpening is important after denoising
-
How sharpening improves edge detail
-
How to keep images looking natural
06
Masks
Learn how to make edits affect only specific parts of an image using masks. This guide introduces gradient masks with Color Balance RGB to adjust skies separately from the rest of the photo, creating more controlled and professional-looking edits.
What you will learn:
-
How masks work in Darktable
-
How to create a gradient mask
-
How to target only the sky
-
How parametric masks refine selections
Want a quick guide? Watch this short 3-step video for quick and easy improvements.