There are a number of choices available when it comes to processing RAW files produced by dSLRs and an increasing range of compact cameras.
A RAW file is essentially a digital negative. To get the most of out of processing an image produced by your digital camera then access to the RAW data can be essential. Most compact digital cameras will process the image for you and produce a JPG image based on presets. But a dSLR will give you the option of producing a RAW file.
To process the RAW file involves more than using a photo editor. Most digital cameras will come with software to allow you to process the RAW data which you would then load into a photo editing package such as the GIMP. Unfortunately a lot of this software are just free trials or cut down versions.
But fortunately the world of free and open source software comes to the rescue with a few available free RAW processing applications
All of the following applications utilise a library called DCRaw so the actual processing features will be the same. What differs is the approach taken and the user interface. These also process their images in 16bit which is important when lots of changes are being made.
UFRaw
The most popular is UFRaw which is mainly used as a plugin to the GIMP. Although it can work standalone. UFRaw has been around for quite a while and probably the most mature out of the bunch. However it does lack a few features, for example a sharpening tool. However it does provide good exposure correction tools
RawTherapee
RawTherapee is a nice looking application and has quite a nice clean user friendly interface and is also actively developed. RawTherapee features a nice thumbnail based file browser for easy image selection and allows easy adjustment of an image with use of sliders. So for example shadow and highlight recovery is as easy as moving a slider left or right.
dlRaw
dlRaw is a newcomer to the free RAW processing software world. dlRaw has a different approach to the other software on offer. Generally you load your photo into your chosen application and tweak it to then load into something else. Whereas dlRaw has many features to do most tasks within the software. For example there are built in creative filters which allow you to add rectangular or circular vignettes, black and white conversions and film grain effects. The final image can then be saved as a jpg or tiff or it can be sent to the likes of the GIMP for further processing. Changes can be tracked on dlRaw's blog.
RawStudio
Although it seems it hasn't been updated in a while, RawStudio has kept up momentum in the background where daily snapshots are available. Rawstudio also features a nice clean interface for processing RAW files.
Out of the above the only one that is not open source is RawTherapee but it is rumoured that it could be opened up in the near future. However they are all free to use without restriction.
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