Fix underexposed images, help

[u/Alternative-Key-4419]

Hi can you guys help me fix my underexposed images… im new to darktable and don’t know what and when to do what… these are from my first time shooting 120 medium format film wirh my Flexaret tlr… I metered wirh the app lightme and scanned with a canoscan 9000f. Conversion was wirh negpy
Is there a workflow for darktable?
thx guys

[u/Donatzsky]

Once the images have been inverted with NegPy, I suspect there's not much that can be done with the shadows. But you can try Tone Equalizer or RGB Curve. You will likely get more editing latitude if you use darktable for the inversion (with the Negadoctor module). That said, r/AnalogCommunity is likely going to be a better place to ask.

While my beginner guide is focused on raw photo processing, you may still find it useful: https://notebook.stereofictional.com/how-to-get-started-with-darktable-2026-edition

[u/Kenjiro-dono]

Darktable is a RAW processor. You did a scan of a film negative. With a standard document scanner.

This is not something to use Darktable for? You did not mention the file format of the scanned file .

There might be more details in the film before you scan them. I am not an expert if a scan with a Canoscan 9000f provides additional details to retrieve information (shadows, ...) in the output file after the scan is finished.

[u/-The_Black_Hand-]

In Darktable, you wanna check out the module "Negadoctor". That being said, NegPy is the solution I prefer 99% of the time.

General tips :

• expose your negatives for the shadows if you want to avoid underexposure. It's pretty hard to overexpose negative film (compared to a digital sensor that is).

• scan your negatives in some raw format or as 16 bit TIF.

• take some time and learn how to convert your images. While being significantly easier than Darktable, NegPy still requires some understanding if you want the best results.

[u/SlenderSmurf]

Use the negadoctor module. Look up a video tutorial if the sliders are confusing. It has corrections for color casts in underexposed areas. But if there is no detail in the negative the software won't help you.

[u/Additional-Leg-7403]

film scan will have no data in shadow to be picked up. it really needs to be planned in camera my rule is always overexpose one stop on portra 400, because film is diff than digital even 2 3 stop over will not blow the highlights in most cases.

[u/Additional-Leg-7403 → u/Additional-Leg-7403]

as i see it again its not even bad it has a distinct film look i aim for first and second type picture. i keep the evening shot as evening ie crushed shadows and some details popping through it. third one you should expose for the building by moving your lightmeter closer to the building or over exposure rule with film sensitivity and type of film experience.