Abandoned Dream– Red Rock Lakes NWR, MT – Fujifilm X100V – “The Rockwell”
Ken Rockwell likes to say that Fujifilm cameras aren’t good for landscape photography because the JPEG colors aren’t “wild” enough for him. Even on his review of the X100V, he says, “The as-shot JPG color palette and contrasts are quite sedate,” and, “the X100V won’t amp-up colors if they aren’t strong to begin with.” He adds, “The Velvia film simulation modes don’t look any better; certainly not like real Velvia.” He’s entitled to his opinion, but I think he just hasn’t used the “right” recipe, and he might change his mind if he did. This recipe is one that Ken Rockwell might approve of, as it’s inspired by him, and that’s why I call it The Rockwell.
Ken mentions that the Velvia film simulation isn’t like real Velvia, and he means Velvia 50. There are, in fact, a few different films that share the Velvia name. Straight out of the box, the film simulation differs a little from the film. My X-T30 Velvia recipe is intended to get the film simulation closer to actual Velvia 50 film. “The Rockwell” recipe is also in the ballpark of Velvia 50 film, although it might actually exceed it. I’ve heard it said that Fujifilm’s short lived Fortia film (which Color Chrome Effect and Color Chrome Effect Blue are inspired by), which is like Velvia 50 on steroids, was a mistake. Supposedly it (or at least the original Fortia 50) was a botched Velvia run, but instead of trashing it Fujifilm sold it as a new film. This recipe isn’t as crazy as Fortia, but it’s every bit as crazy as Velvia 50 and perhaps slightly more. Another film that is in the general vicinity of this aesthetic is Kodak’s Ektachrome 100VS, which was essentially Kodak’s closest film to Velvia, but this recipe is a little off from that film. No, “The Rockwell” isn’t an exact match to any film, it’s just a recipe that Ken might use on his X100V if he ever read this article.
Gibbon Falls– Yellowstone NP, WY – Fujifilm X100V – “The Rockwell”
This film simulation recipe is definitely not for everyone. Just like the person it was named after, it’s bold yet sometimes over-the-top. Many of you will find it to be much too much for your photography. But some of you are going to love it. In the right situations, this recipe is stunning! It uses Clarity, which slows down the camera considerably, but this is a recipe that you might want to work slow with anyway, so it should be alright. This recipe is only compatible (as if this writing) with the X100V, X-Pro3 and X-T4.
Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: -1
Shadow: -1
Color: +4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: +4
Clarity: +5
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: Auto, +1 Red & -1 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this “The Rockwell” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X100V:
Lake McDonald Shore Trees–Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Driftwood Shore– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
McDonald Lake & Rocks– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Lake McDonald– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Flathead Lake– Flathead Lake, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Clear Blue Water– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Tree & Snake River– Idaho Falls, ID – Fujifilm X100V
McDonald Creek Behind Pines– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Trees Obscuring the River– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
McDonald Creek– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Green Trees– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Forest Flowers– Glacier National Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Lake Daisies– Flathead Lake, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Blossomed Bush by the Lake– Flathead Lake, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Upper Red Rock Lake– Red Rock Lakes NWR, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Red Lake Light– Flathead Lake, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Morning Rays– Canyon Ferry Lake, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Sunset Through The Trees– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Aspen Sunstar– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Johnny Sack Cabin– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Hanging Flower Pot– Big Sky, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Mountain Wildflowers 1– Red Rock Lakes NWR, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Mountain Wildflowers 2– Red Rock Lakes NWR, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Rural Blossoms– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Mountain Springtime– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Blossom by the River– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
River Grass– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Grassy Hills– Wild Horse Island State Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Pine in the Field– Wild Horse Island State Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Abandoned Rural Building– Wild Horse Island State Park, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Pop of Color Cabin– Polebridge, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Birdhouse Fence– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Playground at the Edge of Nowhere– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Hot Water– Yellowstone National Park, WY – Fujifilm X100V
Blue Eye– Yellowstone National Park, WY – Fujifilm X100V
Red Rock Turtle– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Colorful Pallets– Bozeman, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Westfield– Idaho Falls, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Pink– Island Park, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Stop for the Pink Bus– Silos, MT – Fujifilm X100V
18– Silos, MT – Fujifilm X100V
Stop Here– Yellowstone National Park, WY – Fujifilm X100V
Blue Trailer– Rexburg, ID – Fujifilm X100V
Grease Work– Rexburg, ID – Fujifilm X100V
See also: Film Simulation Recipes
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