Post processing - under/over exposed images

englishpremier · 12 Sep 2011 at 16:33

Does anyone post process on Linux at all?

I'm using Darktable which has some nice features, but as a beginner I don't really know how to use them.

I have an image that is overexposed in some areas and under exposed in others.

Now Darktable highlights the over/under exp parts for me, but then what? I can't see what settings i'd use to adjust the exposure in just those areas.

bigredshark · 12 Sep 2011 at 16:53

Well the generic tools are either masks to select areas and mess with the curves for them or for smaller areas dodge and burn brushes. That'd be how I'd do it anyway.

englishpremier · 12 Sep 2011 at 17:25

Ah I was hoping to beable to do it in the application rather than using an image editor such as gimp or photoshop.

How does it work in lightroom?

Raymond Lin · 12 Sep 2011 at 17:27

englishpremier said:
Ah I was hoping to beable to do it in the application rather than using an image editor such as gimp or photoshop.

How does it work in lightroom?

LR has an exposure brush that you can adjust exposure on the area you "brush across".

bigredshark · 12 Sep 2011 at 17:29

Aperture has dodge and burn brushes so I'd expect a decent app in Linux to have them too...

Namistai · 12 Sep 2011 at 22:20

Dependent upon the extent of the under and over exposure, you may be able to balance it with careful use of exposure sliders, like those available in Lightroom (I have no idea if you have this facility with Darktable though). Carefully balancing exposure, recovery, fill light, brightness, and contrast can make a real difference without the hassle of brushes. I always try this approach first, before resorting to any more serious processing techniques (in fact, I only really use technique and use of grad layers to balance exposure).