Sombra - new raw processing app (Not Free)

[myotis]

EDIT: I misread the details of this. Paying the early access price doesn't give you access to the program.

You still only get access to it when released in January. It's just that paying up now saves you $90. The "carrot" of being a founder user is that you will be kept up to date with the development and have an opportunity to contribute to how features are prioritised and developed. I'm still happy enough to have spent my £30, but I was also rather looking forward to trying out the current reduced feature version.

This is interesting.

It's a new raw processing app from Gavin Seim of Seimeffects.

Sombra Photo Editior - Founders Acesss

The new photo editor for Mac and Windows that refuses to be like the rest

seimeffects.com

Gavin has a background in professional photography and has been writing "high end" presets/styles and Actions for Capture One, Lightroom and Photoshop for decades. He has an in depth understanding of using these programs and annually compares their raw processing capabilities with the competition and whether they have the tools to allow him to port his styles/presets and actions across. This, year, he has managed to port some of his style-sets across to Luminar, and for those who already own these style sets for C1 and LR (they come as bundle for both programs) you can download the Luminar version for free.

I have had several of his style sets and actions for a decade or so, and I have found them to be very good (rather obviously they work with the new app). He has also always been very helpful when approached for help.

It isn't due for release until next year, but can be bought for the next eight days at $39 (full price $129). But it's feature-incomplete. There is a web demo, which works on Linux, but it is a desktop app (Windows and Mac). I don't know if it will fully work online as well.

Although, I doubt I am going to give up Capture One, I will still be buying a copy to try.

 

[sirch]

Given the advent of Vibe-Coding we are seeing a slew of new photo editing applications, I wonder if we should have a mega-thread of new apps with links out to review threads etc?

 

[myotis]

Given the advent of Vibe-Coding we are seeing a slew of new photo editing applications, I wonder if we should have a mega-thread of new apps with links out to review threads etc?

Yes I suspect there is indeed going to be a slew of vibe-coded apps, so this might be a good idea.

It's unfortunate timing on the part of Gavin, as his app is probably the opposite of being a vibe app, but risks being lumped in with them because of the timing.

 

[gramps]

I wonder how many folks will be caught out by switching to some of these new Ai programmes only to see them fade before too long - or maybe I'm just being pessimistic.

 

[myotis]

I wonder how many folks will be caught out by switching to some of these new Ai programmes only to see them fade before too long - or maybe I'm just being pessimistic.

Indeed and it's why I thought it worthwhile posting about this one. As I said to Chris, it's unfortunate timing for Gavin, but at least we know it's coming from in-depth processing expertise and decades of using C1, LR and PS,

 

[myotis]

I've now had a bit of a play with the Web preview.

It looks very similar to Lightroom Classic. Maybe a bit too similar for Adobe to be happy with.

At the moment the only two tools worth mentioning are the Zone System panel, which works similarly to his zone system/luminosity range actions for Photoshop, and a "Highlight Restore" panel, which isn't like anything I have seen before.

Gavin is very critical of the way raw processors handle highlights, but without some instructions, I have no idea how this is meant to work.

It's labelled as an AI tool. which is interesting because he regularly rants about his dislike of AI.

At the moment, there is also no masking tools, nor any AI denoising, tools (or any denoising of any kind or any ability to read raw files: so it's got a bit to go yet)

 

[Box Brownie]

Not a criticism.......

He ignores the fact that DxO Photolab is non subscription and doesn't require the importation of images.

His reference to it being based on the "zone structure" has echoes of 'LightZone' of which I was an early adopter (with akin promises of the future development and commitments to those who paid into the program etc) but sadly that failed though IIRC it was released(?) as Open Source by its founder developers and still exists today in some form.

So, yes it looks interesting and time will tell........could I be tempted to indulge £30 before the 'founder period' expires

 

[myotis]

Not a criticism.......

He ignores the fact that DxO Photolab is non subscription and doesn't require the importation of images.

He does an annual review of DXO and I know he is aware of this, but he is also very critical of the HSL control in DXO Photolab and doesn't consider it good enough for professional work.

He tends to draw the same conclusion every year, that only LR and C1 (both plus PS) are serious contenders for professional work. But he was a bit more complementary about Luminar this year, for the first time.

His reference to it being based on the "zone structure" has echoes of 'LightZone' of which I was an early adopter (with akin promises of the future development and commitments to those who paid into the program etc) but sadly that failed though IIRC it was released(?) as Open Source by its founder developers and still exists today in some form.

I remember using LightZone ;-)

Gavin has had a zone system/luminosity range action set for PS for years, and the zone tools in Sombra are obviously based on this

Lumist 3 - Make Luminosity Masking Obsolete

Lumist 3 actions for Photoshop. Go beyond Luminosity masking into visual Zone editing that let you master tone and shadow in seconds.

seimeffects.com

He has a few long standing "bees in his bonnet" and one of them is using the zone system with digital.

So, yes it looks interesting and time will tell........could I be tempted to indulge £30 before the 'founder period' expires

I can't answer that one

I can't see me giving up on C1, but I'm also confident that given Gavin's history, this is going to be something worth looking at, and £30 now, to give it a proper trial later sounds a lot better than £100 at a later date.

edit: my concern is given how fussy he is about raw processing quality, is how he is going to be able to match the quality of C1 or LR in the basic demosaicing process.

 

[Box Brownie]

Just a few general thoughts......about single person software 'companies'.

The developer of Qimage has built a solid reputation for his product........though it's scope has grown (for those that want it) beyond just(?) a print management program.
I have been tempted by his new Print Prism program. I don't use Qimage much but in the past I found communication with him very friendly and genial.

In regard to iMatch, sadly I have still to manage to get my head round the program and it's quirky, IMO, interface. In communication with the developer for help and insights I have shall we say not had a comfortable experience.

So, in regard to Sombra......I applaud such ambition but frankly even if he dislikes DxO PL and some aspects of its functionality but by not even referencing it makes me wonder how many DxO users will be interested or not as the case may be?

 

[Box Brownie]

Edit/continuation to the above......

I note that you mentioned his previous presets creations for LR and PS....some of which seemingly are the foundation of Sombra.

Well, from his intro he clearly despises the Adobe subscription model (as do many other pros & hobbyists) he repeats himself about subs/rented software often enough!

So to a degree it just struck me that his driving force behind this was his personal aim to leave Adobe behind and what better way to do so than sharing his dream with others by (literally?) selling his passion in the alpha phase.

I further surmise that AI (Claude?) played a roll in developing the code on which Sombra is structured?

 

[myotis]

Just a few general thoughts......about single person software 'companies'.

The developer of Qimage has built a solid reputation for his product........though it's scope has grown (for those that want it) beyond just(?) a print management program.
I have been tempted by his new Print Prism program. I don't use Qimage much but in the past I found communication with him very friendly and genial.

I used to use QImage Ultimate, but had to give up when moving to Mac, but I've used QImage One since it became available, and have been happy with the support from both. I intend buying the Print Prism program as soon as the Mac version becomes available.

In regard to iMatch, sadly I have still to manage to get my head round the program and it's quirky, IMO, interface. In communication with the developer for help and insights I have shall we say not had a comfortable experience.

I briefly used iMatch, and support was excellent, but it also fell foul of my switch to Mac, but Neofinder, which also appears to be a one person company, has also been excellent over the decade plus that I've used it.

So, in regard to Sombra......I applaud such ambition but frankly, even if he dislikes DxO PL and some aspects of its functionality but by not even referencing it makes me wonder how many DxO users will be interested or not as the case may be?

I don't think he "dislikes" DXO, he has a lot of good things to say about it, as well as being critical, but I'm not sure why you think he should reference DXO ?

DXO users aren't going to be specifically attracted to the lack of a subscription, or the lack of a catalogue, but C1 users also have a non subscription/non catalogue option. In fact so do Adobe users, as you can use Bridge and ACR instead of Lightroom.

I think he is selling the features that the program offers (or will offer) and just emphasising that it won't be subscription based.

 

[myotis]

Edit/continuation to the above......

I note that you mentioned his previous presets creations for LR and PS....some of which seemingly are the foundation of Sombra.

Well, from his intro he clearly despises the Adobe subscription model (as do many other pros & hobbyists) he repeats himself about subs/rented software often enough!

So to a degree it just struck me that his driving force behind this was his personal aim to leave Adobe behind and what better way to do so than sharing his dream with others by (literally?) selling his passion in the alpha phase.

I further surmise that AI (Claude?) played a roll in developing the code on which Sombra is structured?

He certainly doesn't seem to like subscription models, but I can't see him leaving Adobe behind, as he is an enthusiastic Photoshop user, constantly telling users that the image quality from LR/C1 cannot match the image quality from Photoshop, and that they should be using Photoshop for their best work. But he isn't alone in pushing that message.

Over the years I've followed him, he has often commented in reviews of wishing that different features and approaches from different software (usually LR, C1 and DXO) could be brought together into a single program, which I feel is, at least in part, a driver for Sombra. Unfortunately for me, he prefers Lightroom to Capture One, and I can't stand using Lightroom.

I have no skills that allow me to comment on the use of Claude :-(