Linux - Zorin OS
Derek Smith • 27 December 2020
Linux
I’ve been using Linux on computers on, and off since 2002, admittedly more off, than on, as generally I prefer to use Apple Mac OS, or Windows 10.
Linux is “open source”, free to use, and will often work well on far older computers that are usually operating Windows Vista, XP, or even Windows 7, the drivers are often not available for these computers to upgrade to Windows 10, preferring for the consumer to purchase a new computer instead.
My first experience with Linux began in 2002 with the purchase of a digital camera, installing the camera drivers onto the Windows 98 SE computer was simple enough, but when the camera was connected the computer froze completely. I installed Red Hat Linux alongside the Windows installation, and the camera photos downloaded to the Red Hat Linux without any issues.
In the past I’ve tended to use a version of Linux, (SuSe, Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora) on various low specification computers with varying degrees of success, Linux is constantly evolving and improving, and often installs onto a new computer within 30 minutes, and that is the complete operating system and all the included software. I tend to test the suitability of a particular Linux distribution by running a YouTube video, this will test the internet connection, the graphics card, and the sound card.
Recently I purchased a Lenovo S130 laptop, with a 32Gb flash drive, a 11.5” screen, and Windows 10 preinstalled, initially the laptop ran very well, and I was able to run the Firefox browser, Affinity, and the FastStone image viewer, overtime though with every Windows 10 update, the laptop has becoming so short on memory to the point that the laptop was unable to update any more, even with all of the software uninstalled.
After reading several favourable reviews of the Linux Zorin Lite OS, I’ve installed Zorin onto the laptop, over writing the Window installation, the Linux operating system is far faster on the laptop and only consumes 10Gb of disc space.
The Achilles heel of any Linux operating system is that it is unable to run proprietary software, so no Microsoft Office, Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Serif Affinity, or Luminar photo editing suites. On a positive note alternative software coded specifically for Linux is plentiful, and free to use, the Firefox internet browser works very well, I use the Mozilla Firefox sync option and all of my passwords, and bookmarks synchronise across my Mac Mini, Windows 10, and now Zorin OS. OpenOffice / LibreOffice is a viable replacement for the Microsoft Office suite. As an email client Thunderbird, and Evolution work well, but I’m using Mailspring which I quite like. I downloaded the Ubuntu / .deb version of Zoom, from the Zoom website, and that works without any glitches.
Now this is where things get interesting for photographers requiring to import, and edit photos in Linux. An application called Shotwell is normally installed with Zorin OS, and the application is reasonable, importing, and filing the images, as well as providing basic editing functions. However, when editing of RAW images is required The Gimp, RawTherapee, and Darktable are perfectly functional. For my purposes Darktable is perhaps the best option, offering non-destructive editing, several masking options, and a method of organising workflow. The RAW image is imported into the lighttable view, and editing is undertaken in the darkroom view using a base tone curve, a “filmic” tone curve is also available to boost the mid tones which I’m keen to try.
The Darktable application is free to use, and is also available to download for Windows, and Mac OS, learning to use the software is aided by a useful manual, and YouTube videos, perhaps try Darktable on your computer, remember it’s free to download, and use, and if enough members like the editing suite perhaps I could run a Zoom tuition session.
So, with Zorin OS Linux I’ve been able to make an inexpensive Lenovo notebook usable again, it may also bring an otherwise redundant computer that you own back to life again.
It may seem an unusual topic to have a blog about the Linux computer operating system on a photography blog page, but as our computers have now become our digital darkrooms for photographers all will become clear as you read on.
I’ve been using Linux on computers on, and off since 2002, admittedly more off, than on, as generally I prefer to use Apple Mac OS, or Windows 10.
Linux is “open source”, free to use, and will often work well on far older computers that are usually operating Windows Vista, XP, or even Windows 7, the drivers are often not available for these computers to upgrade to Windows 10, preferring for the consumer to purchase a new computer instead.
My first experience with Linux began in 2002 with the purchase of a digital camera, installing the camera drivers onto the Windows 98 SE computer was simple enough, but when the camera was connected the computer froze completely. I installed Red Hat Linux alongside the Windows installation, and the camera photos downloaded to the Red Hat Linux without any issues.
In the past I’ve tended to use a version of Linux, (SuSe, Ubuntu, Mint, and Fedora) on various low specification computers with varying degrees of success, Linux is constantly evolving and improving, and often installs onto a new computer within 30 minutes, and that is the complete operating system and all the included software. I tend to test the suitability of a particular Linux distribution by running a YouTube video, this will test the internet connection, the graphics card, and the sound card.
Recently I purchased a Lenovo S130 laptop, with a 32Gb flash drive, a 11.5” screen, and Windows 10 preinstalled, initially the laptop ran very well, and I was able to run the Firefox browser, Affinity, and the FastStone image viewer, overtime though with every Windows 10 update, the laptop has becoming so short on memory to the point that the laptop was unable to update any more, even with all of the software uninstalled.
After reading several favourable reviews of the Linux Zorin Lite OS, I’ve installed Zorin onto the laptop, over writing the Window installation, the Linux operating system is far faster on the laptop and only consumes 10Gb of disc space.
The Achilles heel of any Linux operating system is that it is unable to run proprietary software, so no Microsoft Office, Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Serif Affinity, or Luminar photo editing suites. On a positive note alternative software coded specifically for Linux is plentiful, and free to use, the Firefox internet browser works very well, I use the Mozilla Firefox sync option and all of my passwords, and bookmarks synchronise across my Mac Mini, Windows 10, and now Zorin OS. OpenOffice / LibreOffice is a viable replacement for the Microsoft Office suite. As an email client Thunderbird, and Evolution work well, but I’m using Mailspring which I quite like. I downloaded the Ubuntu / .deb version of Zoom, from the Zoom website, and that works without any glitches.
Now this is where things get interesting for photographers requiring to import, and edit photos in Linux. An application called Shotwell is normally installed with Zorin OS, and the application is reasonable, importing, and filing the images, as well as providing basic editing functions. However, when editing of RAW images is required The Gimp, RawTherapee, and Darktable are perfectly functional. For my purposes Darktable is perhaps the best option, offering non-destructive editing, several masking options, and a method of organising workflow. The RAW image is imported into the lighttable view, and editing is undertaken in the darkroom view using a base tone curve, a “filmic” tone curve is also available to boost the mid tones which I’m keen to try.
The Darktable application is free to use, and is also available to download for Windows, and Mac OS, learning to use the software is aided by a useful manual, and YouTube videos, perhaps try Darktable on your computer, remember it’s free to download, and use, and if enough members like the editing suite perhaps I could run a Zoom tuition session.
So, with Zorin OS Linux I’ve been able to make an inexpensive Lenovo notebook usable again, it may also bring an otherwise redundant computer that you own back to life again.
Zorin OS Desktop
Photo By: Derek Smith
Lighttable View
Photo By: Derek Smith
Darktable Edit Mode
Photo By: Derek Smith
Bokeh Test Shot
Photo By: Derek Smith
Louth Photographic Society
The buffet and quiz evening was one of the highlights of our calendar, it's the culmination of the year's events before the Society takes a Christmas break. The buffet was excellently prepared by Jane, who is Graham's partner, with plenty of delicious food, pork pies, sandwiches, plum bread, with cheese, quiche, mince pies, and cake. Tony Gaskins produced an esoteric quiz, and Robin and Heather scored the most points with 48 points, I scored a miserable 17 points, but we all had a lot of fun with the answers. The raffle raised £47, with some members collecting more prizes than others, amid lots of laughter and banter. Overall it was an excellent evening, enjoyed by all. A big thank you to Jane for the buffet, Tony for the quiz, and Harry for organising the raffle. Wishing all our members, and readers a merry Christmas.
Good Morning, All We did go to the sand racing again last week, the weather was a bit overcast but as no sky is required for this kind of photography, so good action shots are still possible. Last week at the club we held our monthly competition, of prints, with the categories of "People" and "Open". There was a very good entry with some excellent prints. David Whitehouse came first in the People section with Dave Turner winning the Open section. All the results are on our website under competitions with a blog on the evening as well. This week our Christmas buffet and quiz night will be held. The buffet will be provided for you but feel free to bring a drink along with you (a beer or glass of wine if you wish). Dave Mann will also be providing tea and coffee. Tony is doing a quiz for us all so bring a pen and paper if you remember, Christmas jumpers are optional. Harry will be selling raffle tickets, and if you would like to provide a prize please bring it along and give it to Harry. Regards Graham
A print competition was held last night with the categories of “People”, and “Open”. The judge for the evening was Dane Butler, this was his second time judging with us, and he is showing much more confidence in judging at photographic clubs. In the “People” category there was a wide variety of inventive images of people, from solo portrait style, to street, and groups of people, the highest placed print in this category was the “Pride Celebration (Cologne)” taken by David Whitehouse. In the “Open” category Dane had to judge wildlife, portraits, landscape, macro, and architectural prints, I thought he did a superb job, his choice for the top spot was “Cloud Inversion Summit of Snowdon” by Dave Turner. The website Competition page has been updated with the images, and results.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we viewed the Lincolnshire photographic Associations mono group presentation, Dave Turner who goes to the group talked us through the evening with Chris Birchmore and Richard Hildred talking about their photographs. There is a blog on the evening on our website, but inspired by the evening I thought I had better try a few mono photographs myself. This week, Wednesday 10th December, we will hold our monthly print competition, with the categories of "People" and "Open", to be judged by Dane Butler from Dunholme. There are good number of entries so should be a very good competition. The following week, Wednesday 17th December, is our buffet and quiz night, for new members the buffet will be supplied and anyone who would like to donate a raffle prize please give it to Harry. The evening is for members only. Regards Graham
Last night members were treated to a showing of the LPA (Lincolnshire Photographic Association) Mono Group presentation. Three of our members, Dave Turner, Richard Hildred, and Chris Birchmore are members of the LPA Mono Group. Dave Turner excellently presented this showcase of the Mono Groups work, many of the images presented were stunning, and inspirational. A simple photo of a padlock on a gate took on a different dimension when presented in monochrome, and landscape photography becomes dramatic in monochrome, especially with a moody sky. It was a very interesting, and well attended evening. Thank you to Dave Turner for presenting, and Dave Mann for the refreshments.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held a committee meeting, with all committee members in attendance. Harry will once again run the Christmas raffle on our buffet and quiz night, if any member wants to donate a prize, Harry can now accept them, obviously if it's a perishable prize then bringing it in on the night would be better. We are holding a 70th anniversary exhibition next year at the Louth Museum, if any member has local prints that they think may be suitable to put in the exhibition you can bring them to the club any time now. Derek has done a blog on the night with more information. This week, Wednesday 3rd December, we are viewing the LPA mono groups presentation, Dave Turner is a member of the group and will talk us through what the group do and if time allows show us some of his own mono prints. Don't forget to bring your prints along this week for the print competition, with the categories "People" and "Open", to be held the following week, email your titles to Dave Turner in advance please. Regards Graham
We held a Committee meeting last night in place of a regular meeting. The Committee meets twice a year to discuss items pertinent to effective, and smooth running of our Society. The Society celebrates 70 years of continuous operation next year, and we intend to show an exhibition of photographs taken over those years at the Louth Museum. The LPA Battles print competition will be held next year, and consists of 3 rounds held at photographic clubs throughout Lincolnshire, with a final round held at Nettleham. Louth has been drawn to meet with camera clubs in Grantham, and Axholme, and as you can understand this will entail a far amount of travelling. There is a proposal to the LPA which is currently under consideration which would reduce each club entry to 10 prints and for the whole competition to be held at Nettleham in 2027. Our current annual project is “Prime Time”, that is one photo for each month of the year taken with a fixed focal length lens, a prime lens, my choice for this year has been a 45mm lens, which is a full frame 90mm lens. Members show their annual project photos in the January of the following year. The Committee has decided on the project theme for next year as “Water”, which should give members a chance to demonstrate some creativity, as can be seen from the attached image. Our Christmas social event will be held on the 17th December, a buffet will be provided, there will be a quiz, and a raffle, the door entry charge will be £3 for the evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our PDI of the year, it was a well-attended event and thanks to Harry's organisation skills it all ran very well. Congratulations go to all the subject winners: Pictorial, Harry Kerman, Record, Dave Evans, Portrait, Derek Smith, Photojournalism, David Evans, Landscape, Dave Turner and Natural History, Graham Harrison. The overall winner was Harry Kerman. Well done Harry a great photograph of a White Cosmos. All the top three in each subject are on our website Competition page. Don't forget if you are entering the December print competition, with the categories of "People" and "Open" send your titles to Dave Turner please. The prints need bringing in a week on Wednesday. This week, Wednesday 26th November, we are holding a committee meeting, committee members only for this one please. For newer members we hold two committee meetings a year to organise events and the smooth running of the club. Regards Graham
Last night we held our PDIOTY (PDI of the Year) competition, our judge for the evening was Jorg Malinowski. These annual competitions are an opportunity for members to showcase their best images from the year, some of course from the monthly competitions, as such the competition entries were of an extremely high standard. Jorg performed an excellent job of judging the entries, and the results are all on the website Competition page. Congratulations to Harry Kerman for gaining the title of PDI of the Year with his White Cosmos image.
Good Morning All While we were away the other week we did have a walk around Blackpool. I only took my compact camera which I bought in 2011 but it still works ok and takes decent photographs. It is a Panasonic LX5 which fits in a pocket and is useful now and again. Last week we had mini lectures; photographs we had taken on this year's outings. Four members took part with Richard Hildred filling in with wedding photography from forty odd years ago, a very interesting look at how Richard went about photographing weddings, very different from today with far less photographs been taken. The outings did show we managed to photograph insects and birds on our walks around Red Hill and Rimac. I finished the evening with photographs taken in Somerset and Devon in 2020. This week, Wednesday 19th November, we hold our PDIOTY (PDI of the year) to be judged by Jorj Malinowski of Lincoln. It will be an evening of our best photography and we have just over fifty entries. The NEMPF exhibition acceptances have now been decided, well done to Dave Turner who had two accepted and I managed one acceptance myself. The standard for acceptance is very high, we had four members enter twenty nine PDI'S all together and only three acceptances . We had a lot of near misses, the score required was twelve and we had twelve elevens between us. You will see the exhibition at our club next year. Regards Graham
