Film recipes: The number one reason I am a Fuji fan
Top 3 reasons why I switched to film recipes and how it changed my photography.
Why I am a Fuji fan
The number one reason I am a Fuji fan? 100 percent the built in filters that are straight out of the camera! I have spent way too many years sitting in front of a computer screen trying to fix colors, and these filters have made me excited for photography again. To be honest, sometimes I tweaking on Adobe tools and never really get satisfied with the rsults. Fuji filters has helped so much. Using these film recipes lets me get the look I want, while I am actually out there shooting. It is about getting the image done in the camera so I can spend less time editing and more time looking for the next shot.
Where to find these filters
There is a whole community of photographers sharing their setups online, so you do not have to figure out these settings by yourself. I recommend checking out apps and blogs like Fuji X Weekly. It is basically a library of film recipes that you can browse on your phone. You just pick a look you like and copy the settings into your camera (although manually copy paste). It makes the whole process of finding your style much faster.
How to add a Filter to your camera
If you have found a recipe you like on an app like Fuji X Weekly here is how you actually get it into the camera:
Push the Menu/OK button and go to the I.Q. Image Quality menu.
Scroll down to Edit/Save Custom Setting.
Pick a slot from C1 through C7.
Adjust the individual settings like Film Simulation, Dynamic Range, and White Balance to match the recipe.
Push the Back button and select Save to lock it in.
Now you can just flip the top dial to that C position and your filter is ready to go.
My X-T4 Setup
Pick a Base: I usually start with Classic Negative if I am in the city. It has those punchy moody shadows that just work. If things need to be a bit cleaner I will flip over to Astia.
Adjusting the Feel: I almost always have Color Chrome Effect on Strong. I also add a bit of Grain not to be vintage but just to take that plastic digital edge off the file.
The C-Slots: Since I have saved my recipes to the C1 to C7 slots I can switch between entirely different looks in about two seconds.
Charming Greek Taverna with Vibrant Yellow Details on a Sunny Folegandros Island Day
Why I still bother with RAW (RAF)
Even though I am all about that SOOC life for social media or just sharing with friends I still shoot Fine plus RAW.
A JPEG is a finished file. It looks great on a phone but it is compressed. If I take a shot that I really love or something I want to blow up and hang on a wall I need the RAF file. It has all the data that the JPEG threw away. If I am putting a photo into my Print Archive I want to make sure the highlights and shadows are perfect for the paper. The JPEG is for now while the RAW is for the archive.
