

I wasn’t as fast with my culling and keywording in Lighttable as I am in Lightroom. There are hotkeys for ratings and colour codings to speed up the process. Once I imported my files, I could rate the files and add keywords (tags) and other metadata as I would in Lightroom.

The import speed seemed similar to Lightroom. I first had to copy my files from my camera’s SD card onto my hard drive and then import using Lighttable. When importing from my camera’s SD card, the files remain stored on the SD card. I haven’t yet figured out if this is possible in Lighttable. I can move the files to different hard drives or folders within the software. Lightroom allows me to define an import location. The files aren’t moved from where they are located on your hard drive. Like Lightroom, Darktable only catalogues your images in the program. If importing from an SD card, you need to know exactly where your files are located. There is an IMPORT option on the top left of the Lighttable module. Importing images into Darktable was similar to Lightroom. Functions like tagging, metadata editor, and export options are in the righthand column. Metadata and collections are in the lefthand column. Screenshot of Darktable’s Lighttable module interface.

Keywords and other metadata are in the righthand column. Catalogues, collections, and locations are in the lefthand column. Lighttable vs Lightroom Library Screenshot of Lightroom’s Library module interface. These are alternatives to Lightroom’s Library and Develop modules. In this review, I’ll focus on the Lighttable and the Darkroom modules. But the function is embedded under the File menu rather than a standalone module. Lightroom also allows you to tether your camera directly to the program. When you press the shutter button, the image shows up immediately in the program. This allows you to connect your camera directly into Darktable. These modules are also in Lightroom.ĭarktable includes a Tethering module. There are further modules called Slideshow, Map and Printing. Like Lightroom, changes are made using sliders to dial more or less of an effect. The Darkroom module is for image editing. This is where you can import, cull, and organise your files. Lighttable is functionally like Lightroom’s Library module.
#DARKTABLE FOR MAC SOFTWARE#
Like Lightroom, the software is divided into modules.

A filmstrip below shows other like images. History and other functions are in the lefthand column. Processing tools and a histogram are in the righthand column. Screenshot of Darktable’s Darkroom module. The filmstrip may be image thumbnails or a timeline of when you took the images. There is also an optional filmstrip below the central screen. These add functionality depending on the module. There is a central screen flanked by the left and right columns. The basic layout will be familiar to Lightroom users. Though there are some notable differences, which we’ll talk about later in the article. In many ways, Darktable looks and feels like Lightroom.
#DARKTABLE FOR MAC MAC#
I’m a Mac user, so I’m looking at the IOS version.Ĭurrently, there are 11 platforms listed on the Darktable website available for download. Open source means that the software is downloadable on many operating systems. The Darkroom module lets you edit photos. The software manages your photos through a module called Lighttable. This means your original file is never changed. Like Lightroom, it is non-destructive photo editing software. It supports RAW files from over 400 different cameras and opens a wide range of file types. Darktable is an open-source photo post-processing program.
