Bildbearbeitung unter Linux - Photoclub - Fotocommunity Alternative und Fotoforum

31.08.2023, 15:36 #1

Hobbyfotograf

Image Editing on Linux

Looking for Information and Suitable Software

Since Apple is controlled remotely and Windows is becoming increasingly restrictive with admin rights: who has experience with photo editing on Linux beyond standard applications like raw development and fine-tuning with "darktable" and post-processing with "gimp" (functionally okay but a bit cumbersome)? Specifically for tasks like focus stacking, panoramas, HDR, etc. So far, I've been using Windows in a VM as a workaround, but it's painfully slow.

27.09.2023, 08:02 #2

Andreas F

Experte

Hello

In my opinion, Gimp is anything but complicated once you get the hang of it. Darktable and Gimp are enough for me. However, there are also programs for stacking and panoramas. I’ll have to check at home which ones I’ve installed. I haven’t actually used them yet, though—I don’t do much digital work.

Cheers, Andreas

27.09.2023, 09:08 #3

Ulf Simon

Hobbyfotograf

@Andreas F GIMP covers the basic functions, yes. But it lacks effective plugin integration, AI-powered masking, and so on. You can do everything with it, but Windows programs like those from Franzis are much more efficient. Even the old Corel Photo-Paint can use current plugins (like the ones I mentioned earlier) designed for Photoshop. There are Linux versions of some stacking or panorama programs. However, for example, Picolay doesn’t deliver reliable results with automatic alignment and isn’t really comparable to high-quality stacking software (the market leader is probably Helicon; I use Franzis). Linux software doesn’t necessarily have to be open source.
Thanks Best, Ulf

27.09.2023, 10:16 #4

Andreas F

Experte

Hello Ulf,

Installing plugins on Linux is actually pretty straightforward. There are also plenty of plugins available, including some for panoramas.
As for whether there’s anything available for stacking, I’m not sure and would need to check myself.
I’ll look up some interesting resources. Not sure if that’ll be today or over the weekend.

Best, Andreas

27.09.2023, 10:20 #5

Dan Hone

Semiprofi

Hi Ulf,

Unfortunately, the number of users and software developers in the Linux world is steadily declining. Companies that develop professional tools have little interest in porting their software to Linux.
Until a few years ago, I worked exclusively with UNIX/Linux for professional reasons. I also handled all my photography work on Linux. I used Darktable for RAW processing and DigiKam for photo management. RawTherapee was also available but I found it a bit too confusing. For image editing, GIMP is basically the only option. Unfortunately, Linux programs tend to lag behind today’s professional tools in terms of functionality and speed.
Since I started doing photography professionally, I’ve switched to Mac and the usual software for various reasons.
Heise has a list of image editing software available for Linux:
https://www.heise.de/download/products/linux/foto/bildbearbeitung#?os=LINUX&cat=foto%2Fbildbearbeitung
It includes tools for HDR and panorama as well. I can’t say how well these programs work, as I now only use Linux for my backend servers.

Enjoy working with Linux!
Best regards, Dan

27.09.2023, 10:33 #6

Ulf Simon

Hobbyfotograf

@Andreas F Thanks, no rush. I’m not getting around to taking photos at the moment, let alone editing them. Things are just too busy at work.

27.09.2023, 10:37 #7

Andreas F

Experte

@Dan Hone

Hi Dan,
"Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer users and software developers in the Linux world."

I consider that a myth.
Especially when it comes to software developers. Anyone can develop something themselves, and the community actively does so.
In terms of software performance, native solutions often not only match but frequently outperform the "professional" Windows alternatives.
What’s important for a professional, of course, are the standards for delivering their work. That’s where products like Adobe are practically indispensable.

There are good reasons to choose one environment over another. For me, the advantages of free, Unix-based operating systems like Linux or BSD clearly outweigh the rest.
But everyone should do what works best for them.

However, the blanket statements you made about Linux programs simply aren’t accurate, and I don’t want to leave it at that.

This entry has already been edited

27.09.2023, 10:37 #8

Ulf Simon

Hobbyfotograf

@Dan Hone Hi Dan, thanks. Mac is not an option for me; it’s just an average Unix distribution anyway, but unfortunately without root access

For work, I handle accounting and shareholder meetings on Linux, and my server, NAS, etc., are all Linux-based as well. My specialized software (civil engineering / building physics / CAD) is only available on Windows, but the VM runs pretty smoothly for that. Unfortunately, not so much for graphics

Best, Ulf

27.09.2023, 10:59 #9

Ulf Simon

Hobbyfotograf

@Dan Hone I took a look at the link. It seems there have been some developments in HDR, so I’ll probably try out a few things. Panorama: I know Hugin, but it’s not that great. AI effects: I have Deep Art Effects, which is pretty good. There was nothing for stacking, though.

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Image Editing on Linux