Where RawTherapee is weak compared to Lightroom, is in its ability to edit specific areas of the image selectively. To illustrate what I mean, I’m including an example of a RAW image I captured with my D810. You’ll notice how dynamic and dimensional the sky looks in the Lightroom edit. This is because I was able to select the sky region and selectively darken it as well as boost the black tones and add extra clarity to it. This more closely reproduces the dynamic I experienced when I captured the photo. Otherwise, the bottom section of the RawTherapee edit looks good.

Original RAW image (no editing)

Quick RawTherapee edit

Quick Lightroom edit

Lightroom post edit made with Photoshop & Topaz Labs Collection

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