DIGITAL ANALOGUE EFFECTS
Do you miss the look of old analogue films and cameras? Rod Law ton explains how to replicate that analogue look digitally
Vintage quick fixes
With the arrival of the digital imaging revolution, we might have thought we’d left behind all the flaws, unpredictability and weaknesses of analogue films and processes. And so we did – but it turns out we miss them, and we want them back.
Not everyone feels that way of course, and there will be plenty of photographers who are pleased that photography has become scientific, repeatable and accurate. But there will be plenty more amongst us who miss the particular ‘look’ of our favourite films. Photography is not just about accurate and literal renderings, but creating moods and emotions too, and while most analogue films lacked the spectral and tonal accuracy we take for granted now, they added their own ‘patina’ or character, which is what we’ve lost today.
But film is expensive to buy, hard to get processed and needs cameras that are gradually expiring and disappearing into history. So to stop this turning into a moist-eyed nostalgia trip, let’s get down to business and see if we can recreate digitally some of the things we most loved about film.
BEFORE
AFTER
Film simulation and their flaws
Fujifilm offers a wide selection of ‘film simulations’ with its cameras, Olympus/OM System uses ‘Art Filters’ to recreate the look of grainy black & white, instant film and vintage colours, while Panasonic has introduced L.Monochrom and L.Monochrom D black & white looks for a more classic tonal rendition in its Lumix cameras.
But are in-camera film simulations realistic, effective or even useful? Other photographers may disagree, but personally I find Fujifilm’s Velvia film simulation to be a rather watered-down version of actual Velvia film, and while Provia and Astia have small but distinct differences, and Classic Neg and Classic Chrome are interesting, these film simulations don’t capture the character of the analogue films they are based on.
In-camera film simulations may help you visualise the look you want while shooting, but they don’t properly replicate the grain, contrast, ‘grit’ and tonal shifts of analogue films. This is where you need the power of photo-editing software.
Analogue camera effects in Analog Efex
Analog Efex in the DxO Nik Collection goes further. It adds in vintage camera effects and flaws, like acci
