Batch process Sony RAW (.ARW) files with Steve McCurry-inspired narrative color grading using darktable. Use when user needs professional warm, cinematic color grading for Sony camera RAW files.
Transform your Sony RAW photos with professional color grading inspired by Steve McCurry's iconic National Geographic photography style.
# Check if darktable is installed
bash scripts/install_darktable.sh
# Or install manually
brew install darktable
# Basic usage: process all ARW files
python scripts/batch_process.py raw/ output/
# Custom quality
python scripts/batch_process.py raw/ output/ --quality 95
# Use vibrant preset
python scripts/batch_process.py raw/ output/ --preset assets/mccurry-vibrant.xmp
# Check output quality
python scripts/validate_output.py output/
# Export detailed report
python scripts/validate_output.py output/ --json
This skill replicates the distinctive visual characteristics of Steve McCurry's photography:
your-project/
├── raw/ # Input: Sony ARW files
└── output/ # Output: Processed JPEGs
Balanced McCurry-inspired grading suitable for most scenarios. This is the default preset.
Best for:
More saturated variant for high-impact images.
Best for:
python scripts/batch_process.py INPUT_DIR OUTPUT_DIR [OPTIONS]
Arguments:
INPUT_DIR - Directory containing ARW filesOUTPUT_DIR - Directory for processed JPEGs (created if needed)Options:
--quality QUALITY - JPEG quality 85-100 (default: 92)--preset FILE - Custom XMP preset file--verbose - Show detailed processing informationExamples:
# Process with default settings (92% quality, standard preset)
python scripts/batch_process.py ~/Photos/Raw ~/Photos/Processed
# Maximum quality for print
python scripts/batch_process.py raw/ output/ --quality 98
# Vibrant preset for landscapes
python scripts/batch_process.py landscape_raw/ landscape_out/ --preset assets/mccurry-vibrant.xmp
# Verbose output for debugging
python scripts/batch_process.py raw/ output/ --verbose
python scripts/validate_output.py OUTPUT_DIR [OPTIONS]
Arguments:
OUTPUT_DIR - Directory containing processed JPEGsOptions:
--json - Export detailed JSON validation report--verbose - Show all warnings (not just errors)Examples:
# Quick validation
python scripts/validate_output.py output/
# Full report with JSON export
python scripts/validate_output.py output/ --json --verbose
bash scripts/install_darktable.sh
Checks for darktable installation and installs via Homebrew if needed.
Processing Speed:
System Requirements:
File Sizes:
All Sony cameras that produce ARW files, including:
Standard (mccurry-narrative.xmp):
Vibrant (mccurry-vibrant.xmp):
| Quality | File Size | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 85-90% | 2-5MB | Web, social media, proofs |
| 90-94% | 3-8MB | General use, client delivery (recommended) |
| 95-100% | 6-15MB | Print, archival, portfolio |
# Run installation script
bash scripts/install_darktable.sh
# Or create symlink manually
sudo ln -sf /Applications/darktable.app/Contents/MacOS/darktable-cli /usr/local/bin/darktable-cli
--verbose flag to see detailed errors--preset option# Process only files matching a pattern
cd raw/
python ../scripts/batch_process.py \
--preset ../assets/mccurry-narrative.xmp \
DSC001*.ARW \
../output/
# Process then optimize for web
python scripts/batch_process.py raw/ output/ --quality 90
cd output/
mogrify -resize 2048x2048\> -quality 85 *.jpg
For more detailed information:
Q: Can I use this with other camera brands? A: The presets work with any RAW format darktable supports (Canon CR2/CR3, Nikon NEF, etc.). Just change the file pattern in the script.
Q: Will this work with JPEG files? A: It will process JPEGs, but results are much better with RAW files since they contain more color data.
Q: Can I adjust the strength of the effect? A: Yes, edit the XMP preset in darktable GUI or create custom presets with different intensity.
Q: Does this delete my original RAW files? A: No, the original ARW files are never modified. Only JPEGs are created in the output directory.
Q: Can I undo the processing? A: The processing creates new JPEGs without modifying originals, so you can always re-process with different settings.
Color Grading Style: Inspired by Steve McCurry's iconic photography Processing Engine: darktable open-source RAW processor Skill Created For: Claude Code by Anthropic
This skill and its presets are provided as-is for personal and commercial use. darktable is licensed under GPL-3.0.
Version: 1.0.0 Last Updated: January 2026 Compatible With: darktable 4.4+
Made with Claude Code - https://claude.com/claude-code