In this article, we would review the best-known development programs and analyze them a bit so that you have some clue which to choose if you are not using any, or what could be the next one you try.
Shoot In RAW
The RAW image format, an English term that we could translate as “raw,” is a format in which the camera does not apply any automatic processing, such as contrast enhancement, saturation, etc. This format contains all the information of the sensor, without losing anything, making it a more suitable form to maximize the performance of your camera and to adjust each image to the maximum.
The development is the process of adjusting RAW files, and it is called that because, it could be seen as the chemical development that was made of film negatives.
The advantages of the RAW format is that you can take full advantage of each image file and the settings are non-destructive, the original file is always available, and the settings can be undone.
Darktable Development Program
It is a free open source program to perform the development process. This program is available for Linux and macOS and is quite powerful. It is a veteran program already, which continues in constant maintenance and evolution. And naturally, its evolution to be through contributions is not as fast as payment solutions. But still, it is designed for photographers and has many tools, from essential exposure, color correction, etc. to more advanced ones such as Library module, HDR processing, panoramas, etc. through the different modules.
Something differentiating with other products is the need to import the photographs into the lightroom alternative such ashttps://photolemur.com/blog/lightroom-alternatives, which makes location data, development, metadata, etc. There are defenders and detractors of this way of organizing the photographs, and Adobe has given more of a headache for the extreme performance. But it is something that Adobe is improving, and a well-managed Catalog should not give you problems.
Capture One Development Program
It is one of the most robust development programs found today in the market. It is not in vain that it is developed by the Danish company Phase One, a company specialized in the manufacture of high-end medium format backrests. And although more is being known recently, it is a product that appeared in 2002 and since then has a good evolution. It is a direct competitor of Adobe and is quite appreciated among professional photographers, for the image quality that can be obtained. Also, it has been extended among professionals for its ease when making a session with the camera connected to the computer, something appreciated in a studio. It is a mighty program, with an excellent interface, but that requires specific knowledge of the subject.
