ffureel.

Retouching, film simulation, digital RAW photography by Lee Ruff, ffureel. Retouching, film simulation, digital RAW photography by Lee Ruff, ffureel.

Put your cursor on the image to see the original digital RAW photograph.

 

Digital RAW photography on the left edited to match the characteristics of the negative film scan on the right, Kodak portra 160NC. Not an exact match, notably slightly less red saturation which is no big deal, quite unlike the mess that the digital RAW file started as. Please note that the film scan has had no retouching, a straight scan that to me looks close to perfect. Possibly why people still use film?!!! This digital RAW photograph completely highlights (ha!) its biggest weakness, its erm, highlights! Well not necessarily the highlights, though definitely the dynamic range in harsh outdoor natural light scenes with high contrast like this one. In the film scan, there is colour/ detail/ tone in the brightest of highlights, film just gobbles up all the light like it will never see light ever again. Digital just gives up, nah, not today I am tired...here, have some harsh clipped cutout highlights instead I need my sunglasses, the light is too intense! ha. Well Mr.Digital, there is only so much we can underexpose you before you get grumpy again and become a dirty / noisy monster instead. Even so, the final result from the Digital RAW photo is a pretty decent negative film simulation.