Develop your RAW
photos with Saulala
Saulala is a donation-supported, camera-native ('raw') file developer with an exceptional focus on the picture. Instead of focusing on the quantity of available sliders to tweak the image, Saulala aims to provide the most pleasing image effortlessly, while still maintaining the creative flexibility and control.
Runs in a Browser, but locally. Nothing gets uploaded.
Saulala is a PWA (Progressive Web App). It runs in the browser, therefore is available to a variety of devices, ranging from smartphones (Android, iOS, etc.) to Desktops and Laptops (Linux, Windows, macOS, etc.). GPU-accelerated viewport (webGL 2.0) provides fast and responsive interface with instant viewport updates. Minimum system requirements: 4GB RAM.
Support the development:
Saulala's development is supported by community donations. It does not collect any information from the user, nor serve any ads. There is no subscription to pay, nor any features to unlock.
While Saulala is being developed by a single person, it has been a team project, with experts in the community providing valuable advice and kindly sharing their knowledge and technology.
BEFORE
AFTER
Saulala uses a robust picture-formation process called 'AgX' as its backbone
AgX is picture formation mechanic made by Troy Sobotka. It has been successfully used in many mainstream software packages, and has proven to be an excellent tool for creating beautiful imagery. AgX gently attenuates colours as luminance increases, creating smooth, pleasing, film-like gradients.
In addition to 'core' controls, there is a curated, hand-crafted selection of 'Sauces' that are heavily woven into the image formation, helping you craft the perfect picture with intention and care.
Saulala's process respects "the picture". Images are formed with utmost care for the end result, avoiding common issues such as harsh transitions, sudden hue-shifts, abrubt clipping, etc.
Supports most camera-native ('raw') files (thanks to LibRaw) as well as Single-layer OpenEXR (.EXR).
Launch the Web App
'Install' it like an App
Since Saulala is a Progressive Web App, you can 'install' it on your device. With the Web App open, you can open your Browser's menu and click on "Add app to Home screen" (or the equivalent for your Browser). This will create a Saulala app icon on your home screen. You will be able to use it offline, without the address bar getting in the way.
No need for Google's Play Store, no need for Apple's App store. Upon launching the app, you will be informed whether an update is available.
Similar options are available for Desktops & Laptops as well.
Why can't it open JPEGs?
What's 'raw'?
Saulala is only meant to work with camera-native files, also called 'raw'. Nearly all digital cameras are capable of saving in their respective, native formats.
The situation is slightly trickier when it comes to smartphones. Some manufacturers allow saving 'RAW + JPEG' in their camera apps, some do not. However, almost every up-to-date phone is capable of saving 'raw' (usually .DNG) images. It is only a matter of finding the right camera app. This applies both to Android and iOS.
In short, a camera-native ('raw') file is undeveloped image data. It provides more flexility and information for Saulala to work with. When you take a picture on your smartphone, the Camera App of your choice applies a 'standard' look, saves a .JPG on-the-spot, and discards the undeveloped data. However, we want to take matters into our own hands, and develop the picture ourselves; for that, we need that camera-native 'raw' file with unformed data.
For the enjoyment
of photography.