Film Simulators

[Nick De Marco]

I was scanning some photos taken in Lao recently with an M6 and either Fuji Reala or Kodak Tri-X, a couple eminded me of that special quality of film that digital inds hard to reproduce.

So I thought I would ty out a demo of one of these film simulators. I made a small gallery using one shot, otherwise untouched in photoshop, from a RAW file made on a Canon 5D and reproduced as if made on a number of different films I like. I'm not sure of the results myself, think I prefer the digital photo in the first place, but two of the simulations made some quite nice effects (Kodak Porta 160VC, and Kodak HIE).

Here is the original shot



Kodak 160VC simulation:



Kodak HIE High speed Infrared film) simulation:



The whole test gallery is at

http://www.pbase.com/nickdemarco/exposure_2_demo

I'm not sure I would use it too often with the M8 as some of the shots, particularly those at SOs above 160 already have enough of a film look. Anyone else use this process?

 

[lZr]

Good job done.
Which simulator? I know about optikVerve Labs Virtual Photographer you can do some fine tuned version of film simulations.

 

[gdi]

Nice shot, but I don't really see any great resemblance to the target films - especially HIE. HIE simulations never come close - if you want that unique look you have to shot film...

 

[NickTrop]

With the HIE one, probably Exposue 2 was used, it might look HIE-like if there was more "white glow". Actually, I like this product for IR so much so that I don't think I'll do IR film anymore. There are also some good PS "Actions" (free) that work just as well.

Magic Bullet and Cinelook 2 are two packages for motion digital video, right in both of their manuals it states that (basically) to look like film, one must shoot film but the products will give digital a more cinematic quality (which they do) and get the video away from that "soap opra"-y look, which is less evident in digital still photography (but still there).

I wouldn't say that these packages do what they set out to do - with the exception being IR, essentially an "effect", but they help minimize the digital look.

Isn't it interesting that there are scads of expensive plug-ins and other "solutions" to get video to "look like film" but none to get your "film to look like video"?

I say just shoot film. (The exception being IR).

 

[Nick De Marco]

Yes it was Exposure 2 (for all of them)

 

[keithwms]

I like what the VS simulation did to the orange cloth- the texture is more apparent and "rich." Actually that part looks more velvian to me than VS, but not the skin tones or the highlights off to the left.... anyway...

As for the IR, nah, that one doesn't look like HIE at all. Adding some diffuse glow in PS might get you closer to the feeling of halation, but I agree that one should simply shoot HIE while stocks last... or simply shoot IR using your digital. At least then you are using the same light.

Nice demo!

 

[NickTrop]

I like what the VS simulation did to the orange cloth- the texture is more apparent and "rich." Actually that part looks more velvian to me than VS, but not the skin tones or the highlights off to the left.... anyway...

As for the IR, nah, that one doesn't look like HIE at all. Adding some diffuse glow in PS might get you closer to the feeling of halation, but I agree that one should simply shoot HIE while stocks last... or simply shoot IR using your digital. At least then you are using the same light.

Nice demo!

Disagree on the IR point regarding Exposure 2 and other sims. I've shot IR film that didn't give a particularly "IR-y" look, depends on the subject, lighting conditions, and camera settings. You need to futz with it (the SW) and it depends on the aforementioned factors, just like IR film. The shots here are nice, but this one doesn't "show well" in terms of what IR sim can do in Exposure 2. It probably wouldn't be a good subject for HIE, given the conditions.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Exposure is pretty good, with user adjustments. Try TrueGrain for B+W.

 

[Avotius]

I am afraid I dont see the resemblence to film. That said digital is capable of its own special results. Keep playing though, I agree, film looks better.

 

[GrahamWelland]

I found that the differences between the colour images minimal although if you select the 'original' size images on PBase you'll see a lot more difference.

 

[Quinn Porter]

Interesting. It looks like you were concerned with color and tonality. Doesn't Exposure 2 also allow for the addition of grain that is a match for the film type? Have you tried adding grain? I'd be curious to know what simulated grain looks like and how easy it is to apply.

 

[gdi]

Disagree on the IR point regarding Exposure 2 and other sims. I've shot IR film that didn't give a particularly "IR-y" look, depends on the subject, lighting conditions, and camera settings. You need to futz with it (the SW) and it depends on the aforementioned factors, just like IR film. The shots here are nice, but this one doesn't "show well" in terms of what IR sim can do in Exposure 2. It probably wouldn't be a good subject for HIE, given the conditions.

I have never seen a plugin or any digital treatment that approached the look of HIE - including those starting with digital IR shots. So I'm convinced it is the one film that these actions can't emulate.

I would be interested if you could show some samples - I am open to the possibility, but it hasn't been shown to me yet.

BTW, I wish had the spare cash for Magic Bulllet - I would love to make my video look just a little like Super 8 Kodachrome! I thought about going to film for movies, but the costs there seem prohibitive if you want it telecined... Know anyone wanting to sell MB Looks cheap? 😀

 

[gdi]

W

Isn't it interesting that there are scads of expensive plug-ins and other "solutions" to get video to "look like film" but none to get your "film to look like video"?

The answer is obvious, no? 🙂

 

[infocusf8@earthlink.]

Film Simulation

Film Simulation

Nick I really like the Kodak VC sim the colors are richer including the skin tone. The HIE does not compute. I've been experimenting with my M8 since I got it to try to find a lens filter combination that comes close to HIE. The attached image was taken with a Canon 55mm F1.2 FL lens adapted to Leica M with a Hoya R72 filter and comes the closest so far. Thanks for posting.

 

[KEH]

I would have thought that IR would be toughest to simulate, since you are starting with what the sensor 'saw' in mostly visible light. I like Exposure 2 for the ability to experiment with a number of different looks for the same photo (and not necessarily for the ability to simulate a given film accurately). And the grain can add a bit of grittiness, overcoming digital sterility. The attached was shot at ISO 160 and then simulated HP5 Plus was added.

Cheers,
Kirk