Soft and muted film recipe with an antique look inspired by pioneering early print development
Here’s a film recipe concept that is inspired the the pioneering photographers of the past. It looks to repreduce colours and softness seen in some of the first experiemental colour photography. It doesn’t precisely mimic any specific process, but is reminiscent of early colour through the collodion process.
To achieve the look, two divisive settings are in use. Firstly, this recipe uses a -5 clarity setting, which softens out of focus areas dramatically, but does also slow down photo saving. Secondly, the film simulation used is Eterna Bleach Bypass, which many popular Fujifillm cameras do not have, notably the X100V. If you’re in that group, you can try the alternative Collodion Negative film recipe.
On to the results, which have something of a vintage and highly analog feel to them. The saturation is low and has a shift to a warm, brownish tone, but without any sickly orange. Personally, I love how distinctive this looks, and happily use it for a wide range of images. It’s a bit like a trip back to the early days of photography, which also being modern and fun.
Collodion Color Film Recipe
- Simulation: Eterna Bleach Bypass
- Grain Effect: Off
- Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
- Colour Chrome Blue: Strong (IV) / Weak (V)
- White Balance: 6400K
- WB Shift: 0 Red, +3 Blue
- Dynamic Range: DR200
- Highlights: +1.0
- Shadows: -2.0
- Color: +4
- Sharpness: 0
- ISO Noise Reduction: -4
- Clarity: -5
For a similar look based on Classic Negative, try Collodion Negative with a similar feel but deeper saturation.