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 Last week at the club we held our monthly PDI competition judged by Martyn Wrigg, the standard of entries was very high and well done to Tony Gaskins for a first in the Architectural Detail and Derek Smith for his first place in the Open. All the results are on our website under competitions. This week, Wednesday 18th March we will be holding a Committee meeting, just committee members for this one. The following week Chris Birchmore is the speaker for the night. Harry is now accepting entries for the PDI local competition, with the categories of "Local Nature" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so if you would like to judge one of the subjects please let me know. Regards Graham
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A PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition was held last night with the categories of "Architectural Detail", and "Open". Martyn Wrigg was our judge for the evening, and he competently judged the submitted images, although he diid surprise with some of his choices of placing, but that's a judges perogative. Martyn complemented members on the quality of the images presented, which had made some of his decisions difficult. First placed was "It's a Fixer Upper" in the Architectural Detail section, and "Dervish Musician" in the Open section. Congratulations to Robin Begley, who as one of our newest members submitted some impressive images, achieving a 3rd place in "Architectural Details", and 2nd in the "Open" category. All the results are now posted to our website Competition page.
Good Morning All Last week at the club member Steve Chapman gave us an insight into his life and especially his time at Ilam Park in Derbyshire photographing for the National Trust. Steve showed us many photographs he had taken of the people involved with the trust and the Peak District. The second half was dedicated to Steve's own work, some superb aircraft photography as well as many other subjects. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 11th March we are holding a PDI competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail " and "Open" to be judged by Martyn Wrigg of Barton. The following week is a committee meeting for the committee members only on that evening. For newer members we have two committee meetings a year. Regards Graham
Last night Steve Chapman presented a selection of images from his archives. Steve had previously been a volunteer photographer for the National Trust, and he showed many photos from the Ilam Park Estate, Dovedale, it was interesting to see some of the "behind the scenes" photos. The Jacobite reenactment battle scenes were amazing, the uniforms showed great attention to detail, and there were some real characters among the reenactors. After the break Steve showed some of his general photography, he has a great photographic eye, as some of his photos showed with different colours, shapes, and leading lines. Steve has taken many photos of agricultural machinery, and risked life and limb to create some close up aircraft photos. For atmosphere, just look at these horseriders at the top of the hill on a cool early morning. For heartstopping imagery look at these children on the side of a building, the children are photos on the side of the building, however, Steve wasted no time in capturing this stunning image. Many thanks to Steve for a fascinating evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club I gave you a PDI (Projected Digital Image) presentation showing photographs I had taken on my travels last year, following up with some past and present photographs of Binbrook. I hope you all enjoyed the evening and maybe saw parts of England you hadn't seen before. This week, Wednesday 4th March, our member Steve Chapman will be showing us photographs he has taken. This is Steve's first time showing the club his work so will be a very good night. Harry is now accepting your PDI's for the next competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail" and "Open". The closing date is Friday 6th March. Regards Graham
The N&EMPF Exhibition will be on display in Cleethorpes from 3rd March.
It was "President's Night" with Graham Harrison showing some of his images from short breaks, and holidays around the UK. Graham rented a holiday cottage in Newbiggin, Northumberland, and showed many of his photos from that area, including a visit to Lindisfarne, where the castle on the rocky outcrop made for an impressive photo. In Suffolk, Graham visited Pakefield, and photographed the colourful beach huts at the top of the shingle beach, he also showed several photos from the Lake District. One of my favourite photos from last night was St. Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, with the groins in juxtaposition. Thank you Graham for a very interesting evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club Harry and Chris gave us an insight into how our exhibition preparation is going, we have a lot of historical photos to go on show and there may be room for some more up to date ones but Harry and Chris will see how much room we have left when they start putting it all together at the museum. I also took the time to find out what you wanted in the new program, filling in the competition subjects and outings. This week, Wednesday 25th February, it is the Presidents night, so that's my night and I will be showing you what I got up to in 2025. The rainbow at Brough castle gives you idea of one area I visited. Harry is now accepting entries for the next PDI competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail" and "Open". The new program is nearly done and to give you a chance to get ready for the first two competitions in May and June the subjects are May, PDI comp - Landscapes with water and Open and June, Print competition, Trees and Open. Regards Graham
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our Print Of The Year (POTY) competition, it's one of our highlights of the year and judged by Grahame Dunkin, it proved to be an excellent night with some very good prints on show. The results are on our website under competitions but the highlights were Dave Turner being placed first in the Pictorial, landscape and best Mono print in show; Robin Begley, First in the Record section, Keith Rossington first place in Portrait, Harry Kerman first in the photo/journalism (including Street) and myself taking first place in the Nature as well as overall Print of the Year. My photograph of a Hairy Shield bug was taken at Chambers wood on a camera club outing. This week, Wednesday 19th February, we are sorting out Prints for our 70th anniversary exhibition at Louth Museum. Please bring along any local prints you may have and maybe a few further afield for selection. Please also bring along any prints you may have that you think will be ok for the LPA Foster challenge and LPA Battles. They need to be mounted on a 500mm x 400mm mount and a maximum print size of A3. Don't forget to take a photograph of water if you are doing this years project, no real excuses at the moment. Regards Graham
