This is the sort of thing that I find interesting, particularly when I have been cooped up for too long. Anyone who uses a Fuji X camera appreciates the remarkable jpegs it is capable of producing straight out of the box. However, as a ‘serious’ photographer, I feel obliged to shoot in RAW to provide maximum scope for adjustment – change to exposure, recovery of highlights, adjusting shadows etc etc, the possibilities are endless. Consequently, I spend happy hours post-processing an image to the point where sometimes it is almost as good as the film simulated jpeg produced by the camera.
There are other options – Photoshop Camera RAW camera calibration contains all of the film simulation profiles which, at the click of a mouse, supposedly provide immediate conversion to the preferred profile – except that, even to this amateur eye, they don’t look as good as those produced in camera.
Enter Fujifilm’s X RAW Studio – I don’t know if this approach is unique to Fuji but it seems a very neat solution. This isn’t just another RAW processor, instead it enables access to the image processor inside the camera. Consequently, what you get is exactly what Fuji intended; not only that, it is non-destructive so you can generate as many film simulated versions as you like, all from the same original RAW file i.e. if you are shooting RAW + a simulated JPEG, you are not constrained to one version of the JPEG. There are detailed explanations of the set up and conversion process on Youtube – this is a good one.
If my ramblings are clear as mud, perhaps this will make more sense – this is the same image – shot in RAW and Acros + Red filter JPEG and these are four versions of the same image with four different Fuji film simulations:
- Top left is Vivid/Velvia with strong grain;
- Top right is Acros+Yellow filter with strong grain;
- Bottom left is Sepia with no grain;
- Bottom right is Classic Chrome with no grain.
Not only are these none destructive edits to the original RAW file, the subsequent JPEG edits are also preserved in *.FP1 files so they can be reloaded and amended further. All of this done with the convenience of a large monitor, rather than peering into the camera’s LCD.
How often I will use X Raw Studio I am unsure, given that I am already post-processing with Photoshop CC, ON1 2018 RAW and occasionally ON1 B&W (this remains a very effective mono engine even though replaced many releases ago). Nevertheless, it is good to know the option exists.
Anyway enough of that. The reason I am going cabin crazy is down to the endless hours in front of this screen. The Siberian snow has now been replaced by a dull wet slushy thaw and I can find no enthusiasm to go outside – unlike the previous few days. This has been the weather in and around Hexham:
Our under-used postbox – we haven’t seen a post person in days.
Egger from Oakwood – on a smartphone – too weighed down with shopping, even for the diminutive X100F.
The view from Hexham Bridge using a smartphone – as above.
The road down to Hexham
A flock of sheep ane behind, a Flock of Seagulls
northumbrian : light 
That last image of the sheep in the snow screams winter, Robin!
Thanks Sue – and it’s still screaming winter out there – the merest hint of a thaw but not much. It has been an exciting interlude but now it would be nice to get the car out of the drive 😦
I’m sure
It’s been a long winter hasn’t it, though suddenly warmer in Shropshire today. I like the sheep too. Such a great composition with them stringing up the hill, and the landscape and sky beyond.
Too long, Tish – only two rounds of golf and just a few outings on the bike, I am beginning to get twitchy 😉 Glad you liked the sheep – I had to be stealthy, they have a habit of taking fright as soon as I get my camera out.
A fine capture then. Am I to imagine you tiptoeing along hedgerows?
Yes indeed, I am in training as a sheep whisperer “mint sauce, mint sauce”.
🙂
Love the shots of the postbox and the last two, Robin. It’s odd to see snow photos from your side of the pond when we, at least for now, are experiencing spring weather. 🙂 Looking forward to a walk in the park tomorrow morning to see what might be starting to grow.
janet
Thanks Janet – by rights we should be experiencing spring too – instead Siberia moved in next door 😦
Cabin fever can make a person fixate on all kind of things. At least yours is harmless and productive. The photos are so atmospheric, as usual. Love the parade of sheep. I was lucky enough to get outside today for a long walk in the sunshine. But winter is long in Michigan, snow will be back this week.
Those Instagram images will not be new to you but many thanks for the generous comments as ever. I am hoping a thaw is around the corner – it’s only a few weeks until my first weekend golf tour on the east coast and snow would not be good for my fragile game 🙂 Hope soon to see some sunny Michigan images on Instagram.