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Getting Started

This guide will help you learn the foundations of editing RAW photos in Darktable, including how to import images, understand the layout of the program, navigate the editing workspace, and some helpful editing tools.

Darktable Workflow

Darktable is organized into two main areas:

Selection​

Controls how images are selected inside Lighttable. You can select single photos, multiple images, or entire groups for organizing, editing, rating, or exporting.

actionsonselection.png

Used to save your edited images into formats like JPEG, PNG, or TIFF. You can choose export settings such as file type, image quality, size, and destination folder.

Important modules:

Export​

Action on selection​

Lets you perform actions on the currently selected images. Common actions include rotating photos, deleting images, duplicating edits, applying styles, or grouping photos together.

selection.png
export.png
Lighttable

This is where you:​

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  • Import photos

  • Organize images

  • Rate and tag photos

  • Select which image to edit

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Think of Lighttable as your photo library

Darkroom

This is where the actual editing happens.​

Inside Darkroom you will:

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  • Adjust exposure

  • Fix highlights and shadows

  • Improve colors

  • Reduce noise

  • Sharpen images

  • Use masks for selective editing

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Most of your editing work will happen here.

Importing Your First RAW Photo

Step 1: Open Darktable

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After launching Darktable, you will usually start in the Lighttable view.

importaction.png

Step 2: Import an Image

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On the left panel:

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  1. Click import

  2. Choose add to library...

  3. Find and select your RAW file

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Step 3: Open the Image in Darkroom

Adding the image may direct you there automatically, but if not, double-click the imported image.

darkroom.png

Left Panel

Contains snapshots to compare edit versions, the history stack, and mask manager

Understanding the Darkroom Layout

darkroom.png

Center Area

This is your image preview.

Right Panel

Contains editing modules and the image histogram.

Helpful Editing Tools

History Stack & Snapshots

Use the history stack to undo edits, go back to earlier steps, and compare versions using snapshots to help you experiment without the fear of "ruining" your photo.

Zoom In with Purpose

Zoom in further to spot noise, softness, and editing artifacts.

Zooming helps you see what your edits really do to the image.

One Tool at a Time

Focus on learning one module or tool at a time instead of everything at once. This keeps Darktable simple and helps you build skills step by step.

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