How to Install Shotwell on Fedora 39, 38 Linux

This guide will demonstrate how to install Shotwell on Fedora Linux using the command-line terminal with either the DNF Package Manager with Fedora’s RPM or the Flatpak package manager with Flathub’s third-party repository.

Shotwell is a robust photo management software designed for the Fedora Linux environment, offering tools that cater to amateur and professional photographers. Its user-friendly interface and powerful features make it a preferred choice for managing, editing, and sharing photos.

Key highlights include:

  • Organizational Efficiency: Shotwell allows users to import photos from disks or cameras, organize them into events and albums, and add tags for easy retrieval.
  • Editing Capabilities: It provides essential editing tools for enhancing your photos, including cropping, red-eye correction, and color adjustments.
  • Integrated Sharing: Users can directly share their images to social media platforms or export them in various formats.
  • Full-Screen and Slideshow Modes: For a better viewing experience, Shotwell offers a full-screen mode and a slideshow option.
  • Metadata Management: Shotwell can display and edit photo metadata, like EXIF and IPTC, helping photographers manage their work more effectively.
  • Importing Ease: The software supports importing from various sources, ensuring seamless integration into your workflow.
  • Non-Destructive Editing: Edits are saved separately from the original photos, allowing you to revert changes at any time.
  • Extensible with Plugins: Extend Shotwell’s functionality with plugins for additional features and services.

With these capabilities, Shotwell stands out as a comprehensive solution for photo management on Fedora Linux. Now, let’s dive into the technical how-to.

Install Shotwell on Fedora Linux via DNF

Update Fedora Before Shotwell Installation

Before installing any new software, updating the system is a good practice. Open the terminal and run the following command:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

This command updates the system’s package index and upgrades installed packages to their latest versions.

Install Shotwell via DNF Command

After updating the system, install Shotwell by running the following command:

sudo dnf install shotwell

This command installs Shotwell and all its required dependencies from Fedora’s default repository.

Install Shotwell on Fedora Linux via Flatpak and Flathub

This section offers a step-by-step guide on installing Shotwell on Fedora Linux using Flatpak and the Flathub repository as an alternative method to DNF.

Enable Flathub For Shotwell

First, ensure you have added the Flathub repository that has access to a wide range of applications, including Shotwell, with the following command:

flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

This command adds the Flathub repository to Flatpak if it does not already exist.

Install Shotwell via Flatpak Command

Now that Flatpak and Flathub are set up install Shotwell by executing the following command:

flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Shotwell

This command searches for the Shotwell package in the Flathub repository and installs it on the system.

Note: If Flathub does not activate even after importing it on Fedora Linux, execute the following command to resolve the issue:

flatpak remote-modify --enable flathub

Launch Shotwell on Fedora Linux

Launching the application after successfully installing Shotwell on Fedora Linux using either the DNF package manager or Flatpak with the Flathub repository is time.

CLI Methods to Launch Shotwell

If you installed Shotwell with DNF use the first command, Flatpak installations use the second command as per below:

shotwell
flatpak run org.gnome.Shotwell

GUI Method to Launch Shotwell

Shotwell can be launched directly from the application menu for a more user-friendly approach. Locate the Shotwell icon in the menu or search for “Shotwell” in the application search bar. Click the Shotwell icon to open the application and begin managing and editing your photo collection.

Screenshot of the Shotwell icon on Fedora Linux, ready to be launched.
Ready to Launch: Shotwell Icon Displayed on Fedora Linux

Tips For Getting Started Shotwell on Fedora

Now that you have successfully installed Shotwell on Fedora, here are some first-time tips to help you get started with the software:

General Tips for Shotwell

  • Understand the Library Structure: Familiarize yourself with how Shotwell organizes your photos into events and albums. This will help you manage your collection efficiently.
  • Utilize Tags and Ratings: Make the most of Shotwell’s tagging and rating system to categorize and prioritize your photos, making them easier to find and organize.
  • Explore the Preferences: Dive into Shotwell’s preferences to customize settings like default import behavior, thumbnail size, and background color to suit your workflow.
  • Backup Your Library: Regularly back up your Shotwell library and photo collection to prevent data loss. Consider using an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

Customization Tips for Shotwell

  • Adjust the Thumbnail Size: Customize the size of your thumbnails in the main view to balance between seeing more photos at once and having a larger preview.
  • Change the Default Editor: If you prefer another image editor, you can set Shotwell to open photos in that editor by default through the preferences menu.
  • Modify Slideshow Settings: Tailor the slideshow feature by adjusting the duration each photo is displayed and choosing whether to show photos in a random order.
  • Customize Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with Shotwell’s keyboard shortcuts and modify them if needed to streamline your photo management workflow.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Shotwell

  • F1: Open help documentation.
  • Ctrl + I: Show or hide the information pane.
  • Ctrl + F: Enter or exit full-screen mode.
  • Ctrl + P: Print the selected photo.
  • Ctrl + + / Ctrl + –: Zoom in or out on a photo.
  • Ctrl + Shift + D: Set the selected photo as the desktop background.

Photo Editing Tips for Shotwell

  • Experiment with Basic Editing Tools: Utilize Shotwell’s built-in tools for cropping, red-eye correction, and adjusting exposure to enhance your photos.
  • Understand Non-Destructive Editing: Remember that all edits in Shotwell are non-destructive, so you can always revert to the original photo if needed.
  • Batch Editing: Apply edits to multiple photos at once to save time. This is particularly useful for applying the same crop ratio or adjusting the exposure uniformly.
  • Editing Shortcuts: Learn the shortcuts for quick editing, like pressing ‘C’ for cropping or ‘R’ for rotating, to speed up your workflow.

Importing and Exporting Tips for Shotwell

  • Importing Options: Take advantage of Shotwell’s various importing options, whether from a camera, memory card, or folder on your computer.
  • Check Import Settings: Ensure your import settings are configured to your preference, such as whether to import duplicates or how to organize imported photos.
  • Exporting Photos: Understand the different export options, including file format, quality, and size, to optimize your photos for their intended use.
  • Export to Social Media: Utilize the direct export feature to share photos with social media platforms, streamlining the process of sharing your work online.

Exploring these features and tips, you will equip yourself well to maximize your experience with Shotwell on Fedora, thus enhancing your photo management and editing processes.

Screenshot showcasing Shotwell's default user interface upon first launch on Fedora Linux.
First Glimpse: Shotwell’s Default UI on Initial Launch in Fedora Linux

Additional Shotwell Management Commands with Fedora

Update Shotwell

Keeping Shotwell up-to-date ensures access to the latest features and bug fixes. This section explains updating Shotwell on Fedora Linux using the DNF package manager and Flatpak.

DNF Update Method For Shotwell

sudo dnf update shotwell

This command checks for any available updates for Shotwell in Fedora’s default repository and installs them if found.

Flatpak Update Method For Shotwell

flatpak update org.gnome.Shotwell

This command checks for updates in the Flathub repository and installs any available updates for Shotwell.

Remove Shotwell

If you no longer need Shotwell on your system, this section provides instructions on removing Shotwell from Fedora Linux using the DNF package manager and Flatpak.

DNF Remove Method For Shotwell

sudo dnf remove shotwell

This command uninstalls Shotwell from your Fedora system and any related configuration files.

Flatpak Remove Method For Shotwell

flatpak uninstall org.gnome.Shotwell

This command uninstalls Shotwell, installed via Flatpak, and removes it from your system.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we guided you through the installation of Shotwell on Fedora, explored some key features, and provided practical tips to kickstart your journey. Keep in mind that Shotwell isn’t just a photo organizer; it serves as a potent tool for enhancing, managing, and sharing your digital memories effectively. Feel free to dive into its editing capabilities and customization options to suit your preferences. Continue experimenting, and you’ll soon consider Shotwell an essential component of your photography workflow. Enjoy managing your photos!

Leave a Comment


Your Mastodon Instance
Share to...