r/AskPhotography • u/LithiumTT • 18h ago

Editing/Post Processing RawTherapee vs. Lightroom Mobile processing quality?

I usually process using Rawtherapee on my computer but im using lightroom mobile (premium) until my PC is sorted again.

When I export on RT, the file sizss are 20-35mb but on lightroom mobile, they export to 5mb roughly.

Is there a setting I may be missing or is it the shear processing power differences?

0 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

50% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/Donatzsky 18h ago

That has nothing to do with the processing, but the export file format and compression settings. Unless you intend to edit further in another program, you should export as JPEG at no more than 95% quality, with 92 being more than good enough.

1

u/LithiumTT 18h ago

I dont have that many options in the export from LR. It just saves to my device etc

1

u/whatisakafka 17h ago edited 17h ago

It’s the little gear on the right in the share screen or use the “Export as” button

Comment Image

1

u/Donatzsky 17h ago

It's in RawTherapee that you should change export settings, though. 20-35mb is excessive.

1

u/LithiumTT 17h ago

Oh? I assumed youd want the larger file for more detail, clearee image, etc. Thats my mistake

1

u/Donatzsky 17h ago

For viewing on your PC or sharing online, anything more than JPEG at q92 is excessive. You will not be able to tell the difference at higher qualities.

1

u/joaopaulo-canada 11h ago

I wouldn't shrink your RawTherapee exports just to make the file sizes match. First check that both exports are the same format and pixel dimensions, then compare the same fine detail at the same displayed size. A larger JPEG can just be using less compression; megabytes alone don't tell you which rendering kept more detail. Keep the RAW and your edit settings either way, so a smaller sharing copy doesn't become your only master.