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
Good morning All I did manage to get to visit Gibraltar Point last week, very few birds to photograph at this time of year but I took a few and a Grey Squirrel. Last week member Dave Mann showed us photographs from his visit to Beamish, it's a great day out and Dave went round most of it and showed us some photographs from the new 1950's town as well as the farm, pit village, town and trains. Thank you Dave, and Harry for helping out with refreshments. This week, Wednesday 4th February, Derek is running an editing night, he has sent us all information on what we could download, if you have a laptop remember to bring it along. Print of the year is fast approaching, if you are entering make sure you send Dave Turner a list of your entries with which subject they are in and bring your prints along this week. Regards Graham
Fed up with watching the rain coming down, I set out yesterday into the rain to Normanby Hall to try and get a photo for the “Water Project”, I have one potentially good image, but I always like to see if I can get something better. My OM Systems OM-1 camera, and 12-40mm Pro lens are weatherproof, but obviously I wasn’t, but really lovely to get out.
Last night Dave Mann gave an excellent talk on his visit to Beamish in May last year. Dave explored much more of the Beamish site than when I visited in April last year, Dave mentioned the difficulties of getting on some of the vintage transport around the site, I experienced the same during my visit. It's a fascinating historic working museum and well recommended for a visit. Many thanks Dave for an entertaining evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we had our yearly project night, last year it was one photograph a month with the same focal length, there is a full report on the evening on our blog page, but four members did last year's project with newer member Sam Collet showing photographs at the club for the first time, some excellent photographs taken in Japan. It would be good if a few more members took part this year, just one photograph a month with the subject being water. Attached is my January photograph from last year, it would work for this years project as well. This week, Wednesday 28th January, our catering manager Dave Mann will be having a week off and showing some of his photographs. His presentation will be a mixed bag of photographs. Don't forget to send Dave Turner an email with your titles for the print of the year. Entries will need bringing in on the 4th February. Regards Graham
We held our "Project Night" last night, the theme being "Prime Time", one photo each month taken over the previous 12 months, using the same focal length "prime" lens. Myself, Harry Kerman, Keith Rossington, and Graham Harrison, had each completed the project and were able to show their results as projected images at the meeting. The results of the project were very interesting, seeing how each photographer had approached the theme, and their interpretation of the project. I have posted here one image from each photographer. The evening was rounded off by one of our newer members, Sam Collett, displaying some of his images taken on a visit to Japan, his wildlife photography was stunning in detail, and quality, well done Sam.
Good morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly competition, a PDI, with the categories of "Insects" and "Open". There was a good level of entries and some excellent photography. The competition was judged by Colin Lusby of NELPS Photographic Society. The "Open" category was won by Dave Turner with an excellent landscape of Llanberis, and I managed a first place in the subject competition with a Willow Emerald Damselfly, still quite rare but I photographed this one at Bressingham Gardens Norfolk. The results and photographs are on are website under competitions. This week, Wednesday 21st January, is our project night, only four members took part, hopefully more will take part this year. The subject was "Prime Time", one photograph a month with the same focal length lens. To finish the evening, Paul Twomey is showing his mini lecture that he missed last time, and newer member Sam Collett is showing some of his work. The new project subject is Water, one photograph a month including water. There is plenty of water about at the moment, the rivers are flowing well for a start. Dave Turner will now accept your titles for Print of the year, the same subjects as the PDI of the year but with the addition of Best mono in competition as well. This is chosen by the judge from any mono print in the six subjects. Regards Graham
It was our first meeting after the Christmas break, it was good to be back and the meeting was well attended. We held a PDI competition with the categories of “Insects”, and “Open”, our judge for the evening was Colin Lusby, who is a very experienced judge, and he gave many useful tips, and suggestions on how to improve our images for greater impact. Dave Turner took the well deserved top spot, in the “Open” category with his image of “Moody Llanberis”, landscape photography doesn’t just need a good view, the skill is in capturing the mood, the light, and the shadows, as well as the scene – Dave has captured the scene perfectly, it’s a view that anyone would love to hang on their wall. In the “Insects” category, Graham Harrison took the top spot with his perfectly sharp Willow Emerald Damselfly, this is a beautiful green iridescent insect pictured on a stalk, an excellent capture. The Competition page on the our website has been updated with the top three images in each category, and the score sheets.
Good Morning All I photographed this Treecreeper bird at Linwood Warren recently. We start back again this Wednesday 14th January with a PDI competition, the categories are "Insects" and "Open" to be judged by Colin Lusby of NELPS. The list of entries has been sent out and we have a good entry, fifty images altogether. The following week we hold our project night, "Prime Time", we have four members showing their images from the project. Regards Graham
The use of monochrome images seems to be coming back into fashion of late. Many of a certain generation will remember when monochrome was everywhere, television, newspapers, magazines, films, and our own photos (black and white film was less expensive), I remember in the mid sixties when the Sun newspaper (a broadsheet at that time) and the Daily Herald began a rivalry to publish the most colour photos into each edition. Monochrome images can sometimes convey a mood, and detail that’s not always evident in a colour photograph. Converting a digital colour image to monochrome can take a fair amount of skill, sometimes it’s helpful to visualise the image as a monochrome before even taking the photo, when editing the blacks have to be rendered as pure black, and the whites rendered as pure white, with a range of greys in-between, otherwise an image can look “muddy”. If your camera allows possibly try shooting some images in monochrome. Portraits, architecture, landscape, street photography, and trees often make the best monochrome images, and rarely wildlife, although my image of a lizard is quite effective. I shall be running a “Photo Editing” workshop on the 4th February, and members will have a chance to try converting colour digital images to monochrome.
Good Morning All I have been out a few times with my camera, there are a lot of Fieldfares around in large flocks at the moment, the only trouble is they soon take flight so are quite hard to get near, this one was from the car window. Our first meeting back in the New Year will be January 14th opening with a PDI competition, the categories are "Insects" and "Open" judged by Colin Lusby, please send your entries to Harry with a closing date of midnight the 7th January. The following week is the project night where members were asked to take part and using a prime lens take one photograph a month. Myself and Derek have done the project could any members who have taken part let me know please so I have an idea how much time will be left over. We are hoping to enter the N&EMPF club PDI competition and LPA club PDI competition, Harry as usual will organise an entry for us but if you can send him up to six of your very best PDI's when you have time, please. The main rule is it can't have been in the competition before. You may need to send them in two files as LPA use a size of 1920 x 1080 and NEMPF 1600 x 1200. The new project for this year is water, one photograph a month which includes water. The projects will be then shown January 2027. There is also the LPA individual PDI competition you may want to enter, Derek sent details a few weeks ago but information can be found on the Lincolnshire Photographic associations website. Regards Graham
