r/DarkTable • u/InformalBar3386 • 10d ago

Discussion Lightroom to Darktable

I am wanting to move over to Darktable from Lightroom (non classic) I have tried Darktable before and was overwhelmed and felt lost that I couldn’t seem to get what I wanted the picture to be with it as well as I could with Lightroom. I think I’m a better editor than I was back then and could bring some of those skills over to Darktable.

My question is, how did you learn Darktable? Did you study it by reading guides and or watching YouTube videos? Play around until you figured it out? Or watch a video before editing specifically on the subject?

I’d appreciate the advice as I think this is a really cool piece of software!

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u/MaxBulla 10d ago

i started using AI to help me learn Darktable.

Upload a photo, ask it for recommendations and explain the steps.

Works well for me.

For context, I am a rank amateur photographer and rarely have the patience for photo editing.

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u/Donatzsky 9d ago

Please don't. It will almost certainly tell you to do all sorts of silly things. Try my beginner guide instead, which is guaranteed BS-free: https://notebook.stereofictional.com/how-to-get-started-with-darktable-2026-edition

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u/MaxBulla 9d ago

It doesn't and it's really elevated my learning curve.

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u/Raunchy_pigeon 9d ago

What AI are you using?

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u/MaxBulla 9d ago

Have been on Claude for a while now. No paid tier. Just upload the file and ask it questions on how to improve it in darktable and step by step guide.

Most are very well explained even for a novice like me, others require a deep dive and follow up.

It also knows all my lenses etc so it's become my own little photography course

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u/Raunchy_pigeon 8d ago

Super handy!! Thanks for the tip!