So let me share my "secrets" to getting great B&W results from the Fuji X100S with you.
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| B&W photography can give your photography a new direction |
I started my photography with a cheap plastic camera from a grab bag and a roll of B&W film in the 70's. I must have been 5 or 6 years old at that time. I guess that is where my emotional attachment to B&W photography started.
But when I switched to mainly digital cameras I shot generally in color. This was in big part due to the fact that I did not like the in camera results that the JPG B&W modes produced. And once the color file ended up on my computer, I often just stuck with color.
But since I own the Fuji X100S this has changed! The Fuji X-Cameras create superb color files straight out of the camera. But for the B&W lover in you, Fuji has also created some wonderful B&W filters.
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| This reflection would have drowned in a busy color background |
My favorite B&W setting on the X100S for most situations are:
- Film simulation: B-R (B&W Red Filter)
- Sharpness: +1
- Highlight Tone: +1
- Shadow Tone: +2
- Noise Reduction: -2
This will give you a fairly contrasty B&W look when exposed correctly.
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| The lack of color can be visually relaxing |
And in case you don't have a lot of experience with B&W photography the Fuji X cameras with EVF or LCD will take you by the hand and guide you to your first successful exposures. When you switch your JPG to B&W you will see a B&W image in the EVF / LCD preview. Now use the exposure compensation dial (in Aperture priority mode) to increase or decrease the exposure and get a more predominant black or white look.
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| B&W works great for structures and patterns |
Through the live preview in the EVF I got this next photo exposed the way I wanted in my first try. It feels like cheating, but the result is what counts! ;)
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| Got this exposed the way I wanted on the first try - and this pose in motion would not have had time for a second try |
This is a X100S portrait with my B&W settings plus on board fill flash straight out of the X100S:
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| This is a JPG straight out of camera! |
If I still want some more contrast in my photo I upload the JPG file to my iPad and do some quick adjustments - et voilà!
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| The sun flare was visible in the EVF. This way I was able to time it just right when the ship passed underneath it. |
Still not sure if you want to deprive your exposures of the color for good? No problem! Set the Fuji X100S to shoot JPG + RAW and the RAW file will contain all of the color information just in case you change your mind later. The EVF will still show the B&W preview. Feels like cheating again? Don't worry! It is all about the images that come out of the camera :)
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| Be adventurous and try to some B&W photos with your Fuji X-Camera |
I have to admit that I sometimes shoot JPG + RAW and end up using the RAW file to convert it into a B&W JPG in post processing. I will do this when I shoot in very contrasty situations and might need to recover some highlights later. The other occasion is when I shoot close to or at ISO 6400. I have set the Noise Reduction to -2 but at those high ISO the X100S tends to smooth out a bit too much details despite the NR -2 setting.
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| At ISO 6400 I prefer RAW to keep more details |
So, are you ready to give it a try? Then why not just save the B&W settings as one of your custom settings in your X100S for those occasions when you feel like shooting Monochrome :)
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| The Fuji X100S is the perfect B&W camera for me! |
If you have any further questions or want to share your Fuji X B&W experiences just leave a comment below, Twitter me @HamburgCam or visit my Homepage at www.MarcoLarousse.com
And if you liked my post I am always happy if you spread the word and retweet, like or google +1 it :-)
