Lightroom How-to: Make Your Digital Images Look Like Film
I shoot as much film as possible, but sometimes I need to shoot digital images with my Canon 5D MK II.
My goal with digital images is to have them match as closely as possible my film images. Here is one way I do that:
Key points:
*Don’t overwork the image
*Neutral color temperature is the goal
*Low contrast, low black point: subtle contrast is best
*Don’t use actions or textures
*Expose to the right (overexpose) for the original RAW image
*Unblock and lengthen the tonal range by increasing brightness slider
*Correct lens distortion with the correct lens profile
Original RAW image file from my Canon 5D Mark II with Canon 50mm f1.4 lens.
Toned final image using Lightroom and my philosophies of less is more and subtle is best.
If you have any questions leave them in the comments or better yet here so that everyone can benefit.
Thanks,
Kirk
Scenes from Behind the Scenes | Pentax 67 and Portra 160 | Dan and Laura
Four images from the engagement featured in the behind the scenes video created by SHEP Films.
These are taken with my beautifully beat up Pentax 67 with 105mm f2.4 lens.
Shot wide open at f2.4 with Portra 160. Developed and scanned at Richard Photo Lab in LA.
Chelsea and Russell | Sneak Peek
One frame for now. More to come.
In Seattle? See my photography at Fetherston Gallery on Capitol Hill | Seattle WA
It’s been a crazy busy summer so far. Many weddings, engagements, some fun trips to the coast and a photography show on Capitol Hill. If you are in the area, visiting Seattle for the summer or live on Capitol Hill, please come by and check out my photography at the Fetherston Gallery. My work will be up until July 30th and consists of my editorial work that I do when I’m not shooting weddings.
Fetherston Gallery
818 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122-3815
(206) 322-9440
Have a great summer!
-Kirk (and my baby Maeve)
Capitol Hill Engagement Photography | Jocelyn and Austin | Sneak Peek
Magic happened on Capitol Hill, Seattle. More to come.
Amy and Erich | Salem, Oregon
I couldn’t be happier to share with you the photos from Erich and Amy’s wedding in Salem, Oregon. This is a wedding I will not soon forget. Amy and Erich are extremely warm and welcoming people. It was obvious every guest was at ease and truly enjoying themselves. Their wedding was fun, creative, and incredibly picturesque. The couple included lots of personal touches around the site of their ceremony, which really enhanced the beauty and personal nature of the wedding.
I was so very humbled to be a part of this special day, especially considering that Erich is an extremely talented Salem wedding photographer.
Erich and Amy– I wish you all the happiness in the world. Enjoy married life and thank you for including me in your wedding. It was a pleasure.
Mark and Adrienne | Carmel, California
It was an absolute pleasure photographing Adrienne and Mark’s wedding at Mission Ranch in Carmel, California. It is hard to imagine a more stunning spot in which to marry. With sweeping vistas, deep blue water, and windswept trees, the location was a dream come true for wedding photography. Thank you to Mark and Adrienne for including me in this very special day. You’re a charming couple who are sure to have an amazing life of happiness and adventure ahead.
26270 Dolores Street
Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-6436
Wedding photography at Mission Ranch in Carmel California taken by Kirk Mastin of Mastin Studio.
Mission Resort Wedding Photography at Carmel-by-the-Sea | Sneak Peek
Just a peek at a gorgeous wedding at Carmel-by-the -Sea. Can’t wait to show the rest!
Atul + Poonum | Kerry Park + Myrtle Edwards Engagement Photography
Poonum likes to laugh. Atul loves to make Poonum laugh. They are in love, and are an amazing couple. Perfect!
Atul and Poonum have been dating for eight years and are soon to tie the knot at an Indian wedding in California. I was lucky enough to shoot their engagement in Seattle and we had a lot of spontaneous fun while doing so. I think spontaneous is the right word for this engagement as you will see…
Kerry Park
211 W Highland Dr
Seattle, Washington 98119
(206) 684-4075
After shooting engagement photos in Kerry Park, we headed to a secret spot in SODO that I’ve really wanted to shoot. It is THE place to see amazing graffiti.
As the day progressed, we went from shooting in nice sunny weather to slightly more ‘Seattle’ weather – drizzly and overcast. Never to fear though, Atul and Poonum were ready for a picnic on the beach and more engagement photography at Myrtle Edwards Park in downtown Seattle.
Myrtle Edwards Park
3130 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 684-4075
We had hot coffee and cupcakes from Seattle’s own Cupcake Royale. Red Velvet and pink frosting for Poonum, and a Peppermint Patty cupcake with green frosting for Atul. In case you didn’t know, Cupcake Royale is a Seattle institution and they have INCREDIBLE cupcakes. Yummy.
Even in the rain and drizzle, Poonum and Atul’s love and warmth for each other made the day seem bright and cheerful. I wish them the best at thier wedding. I KNOW it will be fantastic!!
-Kirk, Seattle wedding photographer
Arthur and Kelsey | Seattle, Washington
Kelsey and Arthur are an imaginative couple who are deeply in love with each other. From the moment I met them in my studio, I knew that Kelsey and Arthur would be a joy to work with and that their wedding at 415 Westlake (a new wedding reception venue in downtown Seattle) would be a blank canvas upon which they would create their unique and beautiful wedding. It was a bonus to shoot pre-wedding photos in the Pan Pacific Hotel in downtown Seattle. I couldn’t get enough of the light in those rooms.
