Darktable, the free open-source photography application and raw developer, released version 4.2.1 a few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 22.10.

Darktable 4.2.1 is a new point release. There’s no big features but minor changes. It now uses magic bytes to identify JPEG files, so even JPEG image with incorrect file extension is supported. Also, it adds ability to assign shortcuts to the “quick access” style and preset menus at the bottom of the darkroom view.

The release also added base support for Canon EOS Kiss X10/X10i, Leica M9 (dng), Nikon Z 30 (12bit-compressed, 14bit-compressed), OM System OM-1/OM-5, Panasonic DC-G95D/DC-G99D (4:3), Ricoh GR IIIx (dng).

It also adds White Balance Presets for Nikon Z 9, and noise profiles for Fujifilm GFX100S, Fujifilm X-H2/X-H2S, OM System OM-1, Sony ILCE-7SM3, Canon EOS 250D / Kiss X10 / Rebel SL3 / 200D Mark II, Canon EOS R7.

For more about Darktable 4.2.1, see the release note in github.

How to install Darktable 4.2.1 in Ubuntu via PPA

The software website refers to the OBS repository that contains native packages for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and SUSE.

For choice, here’s an unofficial Ubuntu PPA contains the packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 22.10.

NOTE: There’s no JPEG-XL support, since the library is not available in Ubuntu repository until 23.04. And, the new release requires libheif >= 1.13.0, so HEIF support excluded in Ubuntu 22.04 and earlier. Please leave comment if you do need them.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open a terminal window. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/darktable

2. Linux Mint use may need to run command to manually refresh package cache:

sudo apt update

3. Finally install the photography software either via the command below:

sudo apt install darktable

Or by installing package updates via Software Updater. NOTE: You are strongly advised to take a backup first.

Darktable is also available as universal Flatpak package that works in most Linux systems.

Fix no window border issue

Darktable seems not rendering its window border in Ubuntu with default Wayland session. As a workaround, either switch back to classic Xorg session, or run Darktable using X11 backend.

To do so, either open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to launch Darktable from command line:

GDK_BACKEND=x11 darktable

Or, modify the shortcut icon file via following steps:

1. Open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and copy the shortcut file to local folder by running command:

sudo cp /usr/share/applications/org.darktable.darktable.desktop ~/.local/share/applications

2. Change the owner ship to current user:

sudo chown $USER:$USER ~/.local/share/applications/org.darktable.darktable.desktop

3. Edit the file with gedit text editor:

gedit ~/.local/share/applications/org.darktable.darktable.desktop

For Ubuntu 22.10 +, replace gedit with gnome-text-editor.

4. Finally, find out the line started with Exec and change it into Exec=env GDK_BACKEND=x11 /usr/bin/darktable %U. Also remove the line start with TryExec.

Uninstall:

To remove darktable, simple run command in a terminal window:

sudo apt remove --autoremove darktable

And, remove the Ubuntu PPA by either removing source line in ‘Software & Updates’ utility under ‘Other Software’ tab, or running command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/darktable

If you would like to revert back the stock Darktable package in system repository, just purge the PPA instead of removing it as well as the software packages and install old version back.

sudo apt install ppa-purge && sudo ppa-purge ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/darktable

Converseen image converter announced 0.9.10.0 release few days ago. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu via PPA.

Converseen is a free and open-source tool for converting or resizing a large quantity of photo images to another format with a few mouse clicks.

The new 0.9.10.0 release redesigned the Images Settings dialog. Previously, it automatically removes the metadata (information including date & time, device, and even location you capture the photo image) in output images, and replaces with only modified date and other non-sensitive data.

Now, it provides a “Remove image’s metadata” check-box. So, user can manually choose to either to remove the metadata information about the photo images in output files.

As you can see in the screenshot above, it now supports configuring the compression level and image quality for WebP images. As well, it fixes a bug that inhibits the overwrite feature when the Rename option is checked.

How to install the new Converseen 0.9.10.0 in Ubuntu

The image converter is available to install in different package formats: AppImage, Snap, and Deb. Choose either one that you prefer.

1. AppImage

The software website provides the universal AppImage for downloading via the link button below:

It’s a non-install package. Just grab it, right-click and go to ‘Properties’ dialog to add executable permission. Finally, click run the AppImage will launch the tool.

2. Snap

For Ubuntu 20.04+, the snap package is the easiest way to get converseen, though it runs in sandbox. Just open Ubuntu Software, search for and install the package marked as ‘Snap Store (snap)’.

3. Ubuntu PPA (.deb)

For those who prefer the classic .deb package format, there’s unofficial PPA that contains the package for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 22.10.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) and hit Enter to continue.

2. Then, install the software package by running command:

sudo apt install converseen

Linux Mint user may have to run sudo apt update first to update cache.

Uninstall:

The PPA also contains some other software packages, so you may remove it immediately after installed Liferea.

To do so, either run the command below in terminal, or remove the source line under “Other Software” tab in Software & Updates tool.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps

To remove the feed reader package, simply run command:

sudo apt remove converseen

That’s all. Enjoy!

Got photo images but not clear enough? Or you want to convert them into 4K resolution without losing quality? This app can help!

It’s upscayl, a free and open-source app for Linux, Windows, and macOS. It uses AI modules to upscale single or batch of photo images into 7680×5120 (or double resolution 15360×10240). Supported AI modules so far include:

• Real-ESRGAN
• REMACRI
• ULTRAMIX BALANCED
• ULTRASHARP

The app has a quite easy to use user interface, which has a few buttons in left pane and image preview in right. Just follow the steps in the UI to select your Photo Image/Images, choose AI module, where to save output image, and finally click upscale.

There are as well advanced options to choose output image format: PNG, JPG or WEBP, change the app theme, and specify GPU ID for machine with multiple graphic cards. As you can see in screenshot above, output image and original one will be displayed side by side when process done, allowing to see the difference intuitively.

How to Install Upscayl in Ubuntu & other Linux

NOTE: The app needs Vulkan compatible GPU to upscale images. And, the upscale process can take long time depends on your machine.

The app offers official packages in it Github releases page available to download at the link blow:

For Linux, either download the non-install AppImage package. Right-click and go to file ‘Properties’, and enable ‘Allow executing file as program’ in Permissions tab. Finally click run AppImage at anytime to launch it. NOTE: Ubuntu 22.04+ need to enable AppImage support first by running sudo apt install libfuse2 in terminal.

For Debian/Ubuntu based systems, grab and click install the .deb package for choice. And, Fedora based systems can download and install the .rpm package instead.

Uninstall Upscayl

In case you installed the app using .deb or .rpm package, and you can’t find it in the Software app. Open a terminal window, and run command to remove it in Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt remove upscayl

For Fedora, just replace apt with dnf, so the command will be:

sudo dnf remove upscayl

The Hugin panorama photo stitcher finally announced the 2022.0.0 release! Ubuntu PPA updated for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04 and Ubuntu 22.10.

One year per release! The 2022 release is finally here, though there’s not so many changes!

• Add simple edge fill option to fill black edges in panorama with homogenous color.
• Simplified the assistant page with only the necessary GUI controls to make it more clear for beginners and casual users.
• Several improvements to control points tab (e.g. magnifier displays now warped image for better judgement of wide angle/fisheye images).
• Improved handling of duplicate control points when running cpfind.
• Extended command line tools pto_mask (--delete-mask) and pano_modify (allow specifying crop relative to canvas size).

There are as well some bug-fixes in the release, including fulla flatfield extremely dark, high DPI display support for Windows, and Hugin Calibrate Lens launch issue on Debian Testing Cinnamon.

How to install Hugin 2022.0.0 in Ubuntu:

For the source tarball as well as Windows msi packages, go the sourceforge download page.

For all current Ubuntu releases, including Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 22.10, and their based systems, I’ve made the unofficial package into this PPA repository.

I also sync the packages into the apps PPA, use either one as you prefer.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/hugin

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. Update system package cache for Ubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint, though it’s done automatically while adding PPA in Ubuntu 20.04+:

sudo apt update

3. Finally, either run the command below in terminal to install the panorama photo stitcher:

sudo apt install hugin

Or, upgrade the software (if an old version was installed) via Software Updater (Update Manager) app:

Uninstall hugin:

To remove the software package, simply run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove hugin hugin-data

And, remove the PPA either by running command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/hugin

Or remove the source line from ‘Software & Updates‘ utility under Other Software tab.

This tutorial shows how to install the latest version of RawTherapee (5.11 so far) in all current Ubuntu releases!

RawTherapee, the free open-source raw image converter and digital photo processor, released version 5.11 recently on August 25. See

RawTherapee 5.9 features new “Spot Removing Tool” under Details tab for removing dust specks and small objects; Local Adjustments tool under Local tab for performing a wide range of operations on an area of the image determined by its geometry or color; Preprocess White Balance tool under Raw tab to specify whether channels should be balanced automatically or whether the white balance values recorded by the camera should be used instead; and a new Perspective Correction tool which includes an automated perspective correction feature.

Other changes include:

• include CAM16 in Color Appearance & Lighting tool
• new automatic white balance method “temperature correlation” for White Balance tool.
• new waveform, vectorscope and RGB parade modes for the Main Histogram.
• new dual-demosaicing methods in the Demosaicing tool
• add saturation adjuster for Haze Removal tool

RawTherapee 5.9

There are as well many new and improved Cameras support, including Canon EOS 100D / Rebel SL1 / Kiss X7, Canon EOS 2000D / Rebel T7 / Kiss X90, Nikon D6, Nikon Z 6II, Nikon Z 7II, and more. See the release note for details.

How to Install RawTherapee (5.11 Updated):

Option 1: AppImage

The software provides official Linux package via AppImage, which is available for downloading at the link below:

Once you got the package, right-click on it to open file ‘Properties’ dialog and add ‘executable as program’ permission. Finally, click the file to launch the photography processor.

NOTE: Ubuntu 22.04+ does not support AppImage out-of-the-box. In case it doesn’t work for you, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal and run command sudo apt install libfuse2 to enable it.

Option 2: Flatpak

RawTherapee is also available as Flatpak package that runs in sandbox environment. The package works in most Linux on amd64 and arm64 CPU platforms.

1. First, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and make sure the daemon package is installed by running command in Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04 and higher:

sudo apt install flatpak

Ubuntu 18.04 and Ubuntu 16.04 user can get the package from this PPA.

2. Then, install Rawtherapee as Flatpak by running command:

flatpak install https://dl.flathub.org/repo/appstream/com.rawtherapee.RawTherapee.flatpakref

Like normal package, you can search for and launch the flatpak app from either ‘Activities’ overview or system start menu depends on desktop environment.

Option 3: Ubuntu PPA

For those who prefer the native .deb packages, there’s also an unofficial PPA contains the packages for Ubuntu 22.04, and Ubuntu 24.04. Also, the package support amd64, arm64 and armhf CPU architecture types.

NOTE: due to outdated system library, librsvg-2.0 in the case, the Ubuntu 20.04 build is stuck at version 5.10.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/rawtherapee

2. Linux Mint users need to manually refresh system package cache after adding PPA, though it’s done automatically in Ubuntu now.

sudo apt update

3. Finally, install the RAW developer software by running command:

sudo apt install rawtherapee

Uninstall RawTherapee

Depends on which package you installed, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command to uninstall the Flatpak:

flatpak uninstall --delete-data com.rawtherapee.RawTherapee

Also run flatpak uninstall --unused to clear useless runtime libraries.

For the .deb package, remove it by running command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove rawtherapee rawtherapee-data

Also remove PPA, either by removing source line via “Software & Updates” tool under Other Software tab, or by running command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/rawtherapee

And, for the AppImage, just delete the file in your folder.

Hugin, the popular free and open-source panorama photo stitcher application, now is in beta stage for the upcoming 2022 version.

Changes in this release according to the launchpad milestone include:

• Add simple edge fill option to fill black edges in panorama with homogenous color.
• Simplified the assistant page with only the necessary GUI controls to make it more clear for beginners and casual users.
• Several improvements to control points tab (e.g. magnifier displays now warped image for better judgement of wide angle/fisheye images).
• Improved handling of duplicate control points when running cpfind.
• Extended command line tools pto_mask (--delete-mask) and pano_modify (allow specifying crop relative to canvas size).

There are as well some bug-fixes in the release, including fulla flatfield extremely dark, and high DPI display support for Windows.

How to install Hugin 2022 in Ubuntu:

For the source tarball as well as Windows msi packages, go the sourceforge download page.

For all current Ubuntu releases, including Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 22.10, and their based systems, I’ve made the unofficial package into this PPA repository.

I’ll continue updating this PPA when the stable release is out! And sync the package (stable) with may apps ppa.

1. First, press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/hugin

Type user password (no asterisk feedback) when it asks and hit Enter to continue.

2. Update system package cache for Ubuntu 18.04 and Linux Mint, though it’s done automatically while adding PPA in Ubuntu 20.04+:

sudo apt update

3. Finally, either run the command below in terminal to install the panorama photo stitcher:

sudo apt install hugin

Or, upgrade the software (if an old version was installed) via Software Updater (Update Manager) app:

Uninstall hugin:

To remove the software package, simply run command:

sudo apt remove --autoremove hugin hugin-data

And, remove the PPA either by running command in terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/hugin

Or remove the source line from ‘Software & Updates‘ utility under Other Software tab.

This tutorial shows how to access and import your photos and videos from iPhone / iPad to Ubuntu 24.04 or Ubuntu 22.04 computer.

Ubuntu seems now have out-of-the-box support for accessing iOS photos. User can easily browse, copy, and move photo images and videos in connected iOS device using either the built-in file manager or a photo manager app (e.g., gThumb). And, here’s how to do the trick in Ubuntu step by step.

This tutorial is tested and works in my iPhone with iOS 16.1.1, and iPad with 14.4.2, along with Ubuntu 22.04, Ubuntu 24.04 with default GNOME Desktop. Thanks to @Trozpent, there’s a few tips in the comment below that may also help!
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