Sunday, June 3, 2012

Green Application - In-Camera Black and White

When I think about what I want with the Fujifilm X-Pro1 I feel like a spoiled brat wanting more, more, more. The camera does so much and I am more satisfied than I sound.                                                                                                                                  
    In this case, it has to do with the red, yellow and green channels for the black and white applications. These applications are wonderful and in .jpg format I prefer the in camera application over other post camera processes. Even the Gorman Process gives more of a digital look to the pictures rather than the in-camera black and white.


The photo above is a snapshot of model Ayesha Eckert. Using the red application I managed to get a channel that reveals all of her facial details.  Skin detail is is made even on darker skin complexions, something that Ayesha never has to worry about. her skin is flawless. The red filter is great for bold skies, reminiscent of when I used red glass filters on my film camera. But it also lightens lips, as we can see with Ayesha. 
    The green filter is great for blanching out skin on fair complexions. It is also great for darkening lipstick. This way Goths can either look almost like they were photographed on Kodalith (Google that one, you young whipper snappers) or any regular orthochromatic film. I told the woman in the picture below hat I could have  her look like an actress from the '40s. The result is more '20s or '30s, the heyday of ortho film.


Another woman with marvelous makeup sensibilities was shot in green mode...

I shot this in RAW on the X-Pro1 using the green channel black and white application. Of course, when it goes to the RAW conversion interface (Silkypix in this case) it returns to colour. So I converted it in Photoshop as a .jpg. Again, contrast and detail stand well. Much can be done with this camera in black and white. The Leica Monochrom`s main competitor is the X-Pro1.
    I can't wait for Photoshop to accept the X-Pro1's RAW settings. The Lightroom update is here but it seems a tad buggy from what I have read in Fuji Rumors and Mirrorless Rumors. It will work itself out eventually, but until then the X-Pro1 remains the best .jpg camera on the planet.
    Another wish is that Fujifilm gives the X-Pro1 a blue B&W app. Then the ortho effect will be done far easier. And I know that Fujifilm is reading this. Fujifilm listens.


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