The illustration below is a screen copy of my Workspace "before/after" display. Study the links below for a description of the Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effects. I combined these descriptions into one beta Chrome Effect for Olympus. The Fuji Color Chrome effects work for all Fuji "Picture Modes," whereas the Olympus Color Adjust function only works in the "Natural" Picture Mode. The final Fuji Chrome Series for Olympus cameras could be 3 chrome profiles. (Color, blue, and combined)
This short article discusses two processes for developing a new profile. Why are the Olympus EP-7 and Pen-F so different? All digital cameras work with global adjustments like saturation, color filters, and White Balance. They require a good understanding of working with Opposite Colors. For example, the Olympus Color Creator and White Balance functions use analogous and/or opposite colors. Only the Color Adjust Tool of Workspace, Pen-F, and EP-7 target specific colors in the image.
The unique aspect of this Chrome effect is the steps I used to create the profile. The profile is my reaction to the two articles discussing the Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effects. This can happen to anyone seeing or learning something new and like to express that experience in a color profile.
Download this 1st beta "Color and FX-Blue Chrome.oes" profile. Use the Batch tool in Workspace to open and save the profile on your PC. See my Workspace How-to page for more...
Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome Profile.
The Fuji Color plus FX-Blue Chrome Profile is designed for the Pen-F, EP-7, and compatible OMDs. For example, I successfully tried the profile on Raw files from my EM10 II and the original EM-1. Only the Pen F and EP-7 have the Color Adjust function and will accept Color Profiles. The alternative is to apply these profiles via the Enhanced Raw Format to compatible Pen and OMD cameras.
Study the above profile data (summary) and the steps below to tweak the profile:
Use the "Auto" option for your WB, or select a unique WB. (Critical step)
Use Exposure compensation and the histogram to set the ISO brightness.
Use the different Tone Adjustments to tweak the camera's Gamma Curve.
Some Olympus cameras, like the EM10 II, do not have a Midtones Slider.
Use Exposure Compensation for those cameras lacking a Midtones Slider.
The Auto or Normal Gradation option varies your final Tone Curve shape.
Olympus EM1 II with 18mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f7.1, 1/800. The Enhanced Raw File was converted with the Fuji Chrome Profile.
The Tonal Adjustments in the Camera and Workspace are Gradation, Shadows/Midtones/Highlights, and the Workspace Tone Curve option. Why do we need ISO brightness (EC) and separate Tonal Data Adjustments? Workspace and the camera's Gamma Curve convert the sensor's linear raw data to a human (JPEG) format. Tonal adjustments let us tweak the Gamma Curve in the camera and Workspace. Exposure Compensation (ISO) is part of the camera's Exposure Formula.
Study this article for more on exposure compensation, image brightness, and ISO.
Olympus E-P7 with 17mm f1.8 lens - ISO100, f8.0, 1/200. The enhanced Raw File was converted with the Fuji Chrome Profile.
Use the Color Adjust tool of Workspace to tweak the Chrome effect. I studied the above information from Fuji and converted +/-50 Enhanced Raw Files to create this Beta profile. What is the next step? The next version of the Fuji Color Chrome effect will be based on Color Cards and Test Images from my Fuji XT-5 and the Olympus Pen-F. Mail me your feedback or input for the 2nd version.
An example of using multiple steps. 1. Tweak the Natural Picture Mode. 2. Tweak the Color Style. 3. Image jpeg adjustments.
One could also use multiple steps to create a unique image look. This is a more advanced option because the different steps happen simultaneously. We can add another level with the Luminance and Hue options of the Color Adjust tool. The Pen F and EP-7 do not have these options. The first step is global adjustments (opposite colors), and the second is specific colors. (Adjust Color Function)
For example:
Tweak the Picture Mode via Color Filters and the White Balance.
Tweak the colors in the Color Style with the Adjust Color function.
Jpeg adjustments like Contrast, Saturation, Clarity, Dehaze, and Sharpness.
Olympus Pen-F with the 9-18mm f4-5.6 lens - ISO200, f4.5, 1/1250 - Version 2 of the Color Chrome effect.
Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome Effect - Version 2
I used a "controlled" studio, standard camera settings, and Color Cards. Both cameras were in Manual Mode, with the XT-5 at ISO125 and the Pen F at ISO200. That meant I needed to correct the ISO brightness of the XT-5's raw sample in Fuji's X Raw Studio. I exported the different raw images as 16-bit Tiffs. That meant the color samples were ready for Workspace and the Adjust Color tool.
I used these 16-bit samples in the "Compare Multiple Images" display of Workspace. This enabled me to copy the XT-5 "chrome effect" and transfer it to the Pen F color card. The illustration below shows the original and the new Adjust Color Style for my Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect.
You are welcome to download the new version here. - link
What is the main difference between these profiles? The Color Cards allowed me to create a more accurate version of the Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect. Only the Adjust Color tool has the new Color Style values. None of the other functions were used to create the new Color Style. This allowed me to use default values for the remaining Camera and Workspace settings. Verify that only the Adjust Color tool was adjusted before you continue to edit the profile in Workspace.
The previous version of the Fuji Chrome Profile was created from the information I found. The profile consisted of a combination of the Adjust Color function and other image settings. As can be seen, this method is not necessarily incorrect. It's simply a creative reaction to general information. The second method is more reliable because I used a different Color Card for each camera.
The new Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect has a specific Color Style. We only need the color style to apply the new profile. Any other image tweaks, like Tonal Adjustments, are unique to the scene. This makes the new profile very unique. It lets users develop a basic step-by-step process for using the profile and editing images with the new Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect.
Olympus OM10 II with 17mm f1.8 lens - ISO200, f3.2, 1/2500. Workspace with Version 2 of the Fuji Chrome effect.
More info on the Fuji V2 Chrome Effect? The final profile is not only more accurate, but it is also more user-friendly. How could that be? Workspace has become my default raw converter and editor in the past two years. Workspace and Photoshop cover +95% of my editing needs. I export my converted 16-bit Tiff files to Photoshop. Like everything, the more we use it, the more we learn.
The new profile highlights one of the main differences between Olympus and other brands. Almost all brands use global adjustments, whereas Workspace, the Pen-f, and the E-P7 allow us to adjust global and targetted colors. Targeted colors are unique for Workspace, Pen-F, and the EP-7. What makes it different is that the camera's Adjust Color Style is part of the Enhanced Raw Format.
Olympus Pen-F with 17mm f1.8 and the new Fuji Color Chrome effect.
It's critical to master the main difference between targeted and global settings. The Color Creator is an example of using Global Settings. The Color Creator, White Balance, and Color Filters change the selected and opposite colors. Color profiles created with Global Adjustments need additional steps, like tweaking the Image jpeg Settings. Targeted color profiles are only done in the Adjust Color tool. The resulting configuration defines the new Color Style. That means more freedom to edit and tweak the remaining image (scene) settings because the Color Style stays fixed.
How to use the new Fuji Color Chrome Profile? The first step is studying the above chart. The next step is downloading the new profile. Save it in your Workspace profile folder.
Do the following steps to open and edit your Fuji Color Chrome effect in Workspace:
Open any Pen-F or EM1 Raw file and select the "Load Batch Processing file" option.
View the camera settings in Workspace. You will see only the Adjust Color was used.
The Adjust Color settings show the Color Style. That means you have the right profile.
Study the above chart for tips to tweak and edit your image. Apply small adjustments.
You can apply the following editing steps in Workspace:-
Focus on the critical Raw settings like (ISO) Exposure Compensation and WB.
The next step is to tweak the Gamma Curve with different Tonal Adjustments.
The final step is typical Jpeg Image Adjustments and the Noise Filter selection.
Adjust the Fuji Color Chrome effect (Weak/Strong) with the Adjust Color function.
Olympus Pen-F with 9-18mm F4 lens - ISO200, f4, 1/1000. The Pen-F with the Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect.
Everyone should try the color samples below to create a Fuji Color Chrome effect. For example, I only used saturation with the Adjust Color function. You could add Hue and Luminance adjustments for a more accurate profile. I used saturation adjustments in Workspace because I wanted the new Fuji Color Chrome Profile ready for my Olympus Pen-F and the EP-7.
Conclusion
The next step is taking a few images with my Fuji XT-5 and Olympus Pen-F. This is the best way to test the new Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect for Olympus. The challenge is the winter season, with poor conditions and cold photo walks. That means my final testing will wait a while...
Best Regards
Siegfried
Olympus EP-7 with 17mm f2.8 lens - ISO200, f5, 1/200. The EP-7 image with the Fuji Color and FX-Blue Chrome effect.
Use these Color Samples and Workspace to create your Chrome Profile.
I have been having this question for weeks. I have a few older E-Series Olympus cameras and I thought why not? I read newer M43 models do not use these famous Olympus colors, they have been toned down with more neutral color profiles. I guess the question is, are they really different?
General notes or comments:-
Below you see the 4 different E-Series cameras with an image taken with the listed cameras. What do you think, is it possible to build a traditional "Olympus Color Profile" for my Pen F?
I will not be able to test the final profiles at the moment because we have boring winter weather, and you need rich colors. This final testing for the profile might take a bit...
Does any of you have one of these E-series cameras plus a Pen F and are willing to try beta profiles...?
Are you ready for a challenge to develop your own "Olympus Color Profile," let me know...
I had an E1 but sold it. The E1 does have a unique JPEG look when you study the images. You can easily use the E1 jpeg straight out of the camera.
Do you think there is a difference between the cameras having a Kodak CCD sensor and the newer models with CMOS sensors?
Some say there is a difference between the Kodak and CMOS sensors. Must say when I study the images I have from my E400 (10MP Kodak CCD), then I find the jpegs are really good. Interesting, the E400 was never really popular?
I have an idea for how I will prepare the color checker images to have a muster I can work from. I will do a short video explaining how I do the profile and color checker images soon...
For anyone interested see this interesting discussion on Flickr about the E5 and others...
Here are the 1st images you can study. I obviously have to do more work on my lighting, the jump from RC on my Pen F to the slave flash mode on the E330, E400, and E500 did not work so well. Still, the colors seem really interesting...
14th September update: I have been working on, and testing my new E-Series color profile. It's basically done and I am happy with the result. See the brief description below.
In this article, we will take a look at the different Color and Creative Photography features available with the Olympus Pen F. I will also discuss the new functions Olympus added to the Monochrome, the Color Profile, and the Color Creator functions with the latest V3 firmware upgrade. We will study the Pen-F integration with WorkSpace and how one can share and upload profiles. We will discuss how to create and change profiles and finally, we will have a look at the new Pen F gallery on the official Olympus website.
These images were part of the ad campaign introducing the Pen F as a definition of style and substance in 2016
The Pen-F is one of the most radical and elegant mirrorless cameras ever designed. That said, it was received amidst "unexpected" hostility as most reviewers and forum experts immediately complained about the menu, and then demanded an OMD type "Pen F". These M43 experts also rejected the Pen F, claiming the Creative Dial had no real purpose, it's in the wrong location, and the Creative Dial and ART Filters have no place in modern digital photography.
Search "Pen F" on the DPReview and the Mu-43 forums and you will be blown away by the negative reactions and the gossip from Olympus and M43 photographers. The most surprising was that none of these "experts" figured out that Olympus was really in the process of introducing a completely new and future Color and Creative Photography concept.
We also saw how the Pen F enabled street photographers and how they welcomed the EVF placement. The unique MonoChrome and Color features made the Pen F special and one of a kind. They could simply select from a list of up to 32 different Color and Monochrome Profiles without having to spend time on location to select individual camera settings.
Something I discuss in my WorkSpace "how-to" article, is the unique Live View feature of WorkSpace. This feature enables photographers to develop their Color and Monochrome Profiles on any WorkSpace "Live View" display. Photographers can now develop and test their new profiles before entering them into the Pen F. Also see Part 6 in my Color and Creative Photography series.
See this launch video of the Pen-F (less than 5 minutes)
Street Photography with the Olympus Pen-F
The interesting Pen-F video with the POV Photo Guy (Highly Recommended)
The Pen F had two firmware updates, see the details below:-
Olympus added the "Bleech Bypass film" ART filter to the Pen F
Custom settings C1 to C4 are now included when saving the camera configuration
This makes it possible to share Pen F configurations with C1 to C4 with friends
The ability to extract color and monochrome profiles from JPEG images
You can now share color or monochrome profiles by sharing your JPEG files
Shading effects have been added to the color profile and the color creator
The ISO auto settings have been expanded and are the same as the EM1 II
The monitor AF Targeting Pad performance has been improved
ART filter selection and the touch function operation have been improved
Below is the User Manual (V3.1) page #, and the related creative Pen F functions:-
Page 38 - Creative Dial operation
Page 39 - The Color Profile Tool
Page 40 - Monochrome Profile Control
Page 66 - Monochrome Profile Grain filter
Page 41 - The Color Creator
Page 42 - Art Filters
Page 67 - Color filter effects to the Monochrome Picture Mode
Page 116 - Assigning photo story to C3 and SCN modes to C4
Page 116 - Photo Story
Page 118 - SCN Modes
Page 33, 88 - How to set up Custom Modes
Page 179 - 182 - A summary of the Firmware updates V2 & V3
I wrote a 6 part color and creative photography series. Please go see parts 3 & 6 if you are new to the color wheel, color harmonies, and how to work with color and your Olympus camera. Also, see my article on how to use the Color Creator.
Setting up the Pen F to its full creative flexibility?
Your Pen F should always be ready for maximum creative use. It's really a mistake to wish the Pen F was some kind of OMD camera. For example, camera manufacturers will carefully select the image sensor for each camera to match the camera concept. This is why Olympus used a different image sensor for the Pen-F and not the same sensor for the EM1 II. The EM1 II was designed for high performance and speed, whereas the Pen F was designed for street photography and ultimate creativity. The EM1 II and the Pen F are completely different cameras and together they cover a wide range of photography applications.
A = Creative Dial / B = Mode Dial (Custom Modes) / C = Lever
The Mode Dial on the Pen F is different from the EM5 II, the EPL9, or the EM1 II. For example, you will not find Photo Story or SCN Modes on the Pen F. You need to first configure the Custom Modes C3 and C4 for Photo Story and SCN Modes before you can use these features on the Pen F. See the above user manual summary and the relevant pages in the user manual. That leaves C1 and C2 open to save your preferred camera configurations and any additional color and monochrome profiles. This enables you to save up to 9 additional colors and 9 additional monochrome profiles.
Tip:-If you like to save new color or monochrome profiles to the custom modes C1 and C2, start by selecting your preferred exposure mode like Aperture Mode (A-Mode). Now you can configure the Pen F as you like, plus the 3 Color or the 3 MonoChrome Profiles. When done save the configuration to C1 or C2. It is not possible to save a new configuration directly to C1 or C2.
The Olympus Pen-F's main creative modes?
It's sometimes difficult to picture the complete creative magnitude of Olympus cameras and especially, the Pen F. The reason is the different creative features and options are linked to more than one function. For example, looking at ART filters you might say no they are not that interesting.
It's only when you select ART filters that you see that each ART filter has several more options. Some of these options will also be seen when you work with the Color or Monochrome Profile. You could be in a situation where you quickly want to record a series of images with Photo-Story. You do not want to edit the Photo-Story images when back home, so you decide to use a Pop ART filter with Photo-Story. As you can see these cameras are truly creative masterpieces.
One can summarize the Pen-F creative modes in 6 groups:-
The Color Creator
The Color Profile (One can save up to 9 profiles in C1 & C2)
The Monochrome Profile (One can save 9 profiles in C1 & C2)
Monotone "Picture Mode" (different from the monochrome profile)
ART Filters, SCN Modes, Photo Story, and HDR
Live Composite, Live Time, Panorama, Stacking, Timelapse
Each of these creative groups has access to more options like curves, grain filters, color filters, and shading to assist the photographer in creating the perfect image look and feel in the camera.
The Color Profile Tool
A = You can select 1 of 3 factory set Profiles (Profile 1 is neutral)
Olympus describes the above color profile presets as:
"Of the three color profile presets, Colour Profile 2: Chrome Film Rich Colour provides rich, deep tones, and Colour Profile 3: Chrome Film VS gives rich film colors with high levels of saturation. You can make adjustments to these two presets, or you can create your own color profile from scratch using the Colour Profile 1 preset."
The first color profile (Profile 1) is neutral and available to the user. Profiles 2 & 3 are factory preset color profiles. If you assigned your preferred camera configuration to custom modes C1 and C2, you have 6 (3+3) more options for saving your own profiles. Set up your different color profiles for C1 and C2 and you will have a total of 8 preset color profiles and profile 1 for unique situations. I keep a summary of all my profiles on my mobile phone with a brief description of each profile.
The following variables are included and saved with color profiles:
Color Profile tool with 12 different color selection
The Shading function
The Highlight/Shadow & Midtone function (Curves)
Sharpness and contrast settings (See the SCP)
Exposure compensation (Exposure Comp dial on the Pen F)
These are the main settings when creating your own color profiles. Keep profile 1 in the factory setting so that you can quickly adapt colors when out doing photography. Save your own or any shared profiles in the Picture Modes C1 and C2 (6x Profiles in total). Always practice your color awareness.
For example, practice your color awareness by doing the following:-
Practice scanning your surroundings, identify colors, and build color harmonies
When paging through a magazine identify the main colors and the color harmonies
Be aware of the people's clothes (colors) and check their selection of colors
Practice using different color harmonies (Complementary, Analogous, and Triadic)
In time you will find your color awareness and creating harmonies will improve
See this interesting photographer and his article on working with color - link
With practice, it will become second nature to scan your surroundings, select colors, and build harmonies. Adjust your target colors with Profile 1 using the Color Profil. The more you do this the easier it gets. The secret is to apply small adjustments at a time. In most cases, subtle chances are more effective than extreme color effects.
For example, you are out visiting a historic city with your family. Your partner is dressed in a bright yellow shirt with jeans. The sky is clear so you decide to focus on the complementary colors yellow and blue. You like these colors to stand out with the blue skies above the buildings. Highlighting these complementary colors, you can increase the vividness of yellow and blue with +2. Next, you will reduce the vividness of all the other colors with -2. Next, you will increase the contrast with the curves function, and in the final step, you can create a slight pinhole look with the shading function.
Monochrome Profile
A = Monochrome Profiles / B = Grain filter setting or selection
Olympus describes the above monochrome profile presets as:
"Of the three monochrome profile presets, Monochrome Profile 2: Classic Film B&W provides a grainy monochrome look, and Monochrome Profile 3: Classic Film IR emphasizes red color filter effects for the look of infrared film. You can make adjustments to these two presets, or you can create your own monochrome profile from scratch using the Monochrome Profile 1 preset."
The first Monochrome Profile (Profile 1) is neutral and available to the user. Profiles 2 and 3 are factory-preset monochrome profiles. If you assigned your preferred camera configuration to custom modes C1 and C2 you have 6 (3+3) more options for saving your own profiles. Set up your different monochrome profiles for C1 & C2 and you will have a total of 8 preset monochrome profiles and profile 1 for unique situations. I keep a summary of all my profiles on my mobile phone with a brief description of each profile. All said, with a little practice it's often faster to evaluate the scene and adapt Profile 1.
The following parameters are saved with each monochrome profile:
The Monochrome Profile with 9 target colors with 3 levels each
The Shading function settings
Highlight/Shadow & Midtone settings (Curves)
Sharpness and contrast (SCP adjustments)
Film Grain Effect in the (See the SCP)
The Monochrome base color (found in the SCP)
Exposure compensation (Exp Comp dial on the Pen F)
When creating your own monochrome profiles follow the steps below:-
Like with color profiles, be aware of your surroundings and dominant colors
With monochrome, you only focus on the target color and the opposite color
When adjusting the blues in the sky, blue will darken and yellow will brighten
With landscapes, one typically targets the sky, clouds, trees, fields, or structures
With monochrome or black-and-white scenes, focus and work on strong contrasts
The first step is to select your target color and adjust it with the profile tool
The next step is to activate the SCP
Select a monochrome base color (T) or leave the base color neutral
From the SCP you can also select black & white or monochrome grain settings
Finally, use curves to add more contrast and the shading function as required
See the examples below:
Original image on the left and the Monochrome profile using a yellow base color on the right
Again the original image has a color profile, then a monochrome-only profile, and finally a base color
The monochrome profile tool is not the only monochrome or monotone option on the Pen F. All Olympus cameras have the monochrome picture mode. To activate the monochrome picture mode, turn the creative dial to the "OFF" position and press the OK button to activate the SCP. Move the cursor to picture modes and turn the front dial until you see monochrome. The different monochrome options will be available in the SCP.
Olympus Pen F with 50mm f1.8 - ISO200, f4.5, 1/800 (MonoChrome Profile plus a little Photoshop)
How to create/manage and share your color or monochrome profiles?
See my WorkSpace, how-to page here. Go to how-to technique #7 for a detailed explanation of how to manage your profiles. Olympus added a new gallery with color and monochrome images created by different Olympus visionaries. You will find the collection here. Each image can be downloaded and the Exif data is included. Each image also has additional information about the profile. This is a great resource for Pen F photographers looking for ideas and inspiration...
You can now lift any of these profiles with WorkSpace and transfer them to your camera. You can also open the image in WorkSpace, open the Exif Info, and manually transfer the settings to your Pen F.
Part of the Olympus Pen F collection of color and monochrome profile images
The available information for each image in the gallery
A more advanced technique for developing profiles is described in this article.
For example, it is possible to use color cards to copy and create your own profiles. I created a series of color cards with different DXO film profiles applied to them. Each image has another DXO film profile applied to the color card. This is a little more advanced and you need to be patient and ready to practice. The color cards are also a great help to develop a feel for color and to identify what the other person did when creating profiles.
Then finally visit my Pen F Profile page where I regularly add new profiles I developed or profiles I see on the web. You are also welcome to let me know when you develop a new profile you like to share with others...
I have added a few videos below. They offer more information on additional Pen F creative functions. Sometimes it's enough to apply a basic ART filter, it's not always necessary to look for complex solutions. Unfortunately, I had to remove several links, it seems Olympus is deleting videos from YouTube, I do not know if it is linked to Olympus selling the camera business.
Live Composite
See this link for 7 interesting TIPS on how you can use the Live Composite function. You can also subscribe to this Olympus webpage.
Photo Story
Rob Trek showing how to enter a version of the Kodak 25 profile
Ever wondered what it's like to work with Fuji film simulations on your Olympus camera? Do you like to have more flexibility or are you happy with the standard camera adjustments, like sharpness, saturation, and the WB sliders? With the Olympus Pen-F and E-P7, it's possible to create Color and Monochrome Profiles in the camera.
For example, I was curious about these film simulations in Fuji cameras, so I tried the Fuji XT-10. The Fuji simulations are interesting and they are fun to use. The downside, it's not possible to fine-tune these profiles. You literally end up with the same look as any other Fuji photographer. The benefit of using Fuji film simulations, these are complex profiles and ready to use.
It is possible to create similarly complex film simulations in WorkSpace because the Color Creator in WorkSpace allows the photographer to set the saturation, hue, and brightness. With the Pen-F and the E-P7, it's only possible to adjust saturation with the Color Creator.
See this article for more on Enhanced Raw files...
This article describes a unique method to create your own color profiles. I created different color cards with DxO FilmPak 5, and each of these color cards represents a different film simulation. Included is a standard "neutral" color card with no film look.
Probably the most important piece of advice I could pass on is to allow yourself lots of time. If you are new to creative color concepts, allow yourself lots of time and practice. It literally took me months of studying, practicing, going back to articles I read before, and to keep trying. The same is true for WorkSpace. It's a remarkable piece of software once you master it. I can only encourage readers to keep on studying my article and to keep on practicing. It's so much fun when you win...
Why create Fuji or Kodak film simulations for the Pen F?
DxO claims that..... "DxO FilmPack 5, faithfully applies legendary color-negatives, black and white film presets or slide film presets for digital images."
FilmPack 5 has different Kodak, Agfa, and Fuji film presets. The user can further modify these presets and save them as personalized profiles. If you asked me, I personally prefer working with FilmPack 5. The only reason I develop my own "scaled-down" Pen F profiles is the fun aspect and to have my own profiles when I am out photographing.
How to Create your own Profiles?
The secret with the Pen F is to know that you cannot simulate a film look as accurately as you would with DxO FimPack 5 or WorkSpace. Always use the raw + jpeg option on your camera so that you have the ability to edit your "Enhanced Raw" files in WorkSpace.
Further down in this article I created 5 image groups. Each group has a set of images with a master (neutral) on the left and a film simulation on the right. The process of creating your own profiles is simple. As you studying the film simulation, adjust the master until they look the same.
The final group of images is the same film simulations but now they are applied to a Spider Color Checker. You can download the master (neutral) color checker and the different film simulations here. I matched the colors on the Color Checker to colors on the Color Creator in WS. See my WS how-to page for more info on the V1.5 update and the new color additions.
Olympus WorkSpace
DxO film simulation and master color card opened in WorkSpace
To create your own profiles, open both the film simulation and the master copy in WorkSpace. The film simulation is your master and your aim is to apply the colors in the film simulation to the master copy with the WS color creator. This really is an advanced method of creating profiles and requires lots of practice. See the steps below and see if they work for you:-
Before adjusting the master, study the 2 templates. Summarize all the differences
Identify the dominant colors or any specific look like pastel and write it all down
The numbers on the color card correspond with the numbers on the color creator
It works well to start with RGB colors, followed by CMY colors, then adjust the rest
List the steps and color sequence you think you need to follow when creating the profile
These first few steps are important because its a process you develop and improve on
Start with RGB colors adjusting saturation, hue & luminance, then CMY and others
Adjust small steps at a time, finish one color before moving to the next
Some colors have more than one number - it takes a little more time to master
Make regular breaks - after 15 minutes they all look the same...
The final step is to test your profiles and to compare them with the profile images
I strongly recommend you get DXO Filmpack 5. These are still the best profiles
The best way to develop your own profiles is practice. As I listed above starting with RGB colors is one way of progressing when building your profiles. Another method that works well is, follow the above steps analyzing and prepping your new profile. Instead of starting with RGB colors, follow these steps:-
Select "All Colors" on the creator and test if a "global" saturation change is required
Deselect the "All Colors" and target individual colors following the next 3 steps below
Next target all the single-digit colors and adjust them (Example is the colors marked "1")
Next adjust colors with double numbers, where one of the numbers were one of the above
You will see very few numbers are left to adjust after following the above sequence
Testing and fine-tuning your new profile is critical - this takes time and patients
Keep in mind the Color Creator in WorkSpace is more powerful than the Color Creator in your Pen F. You will typically build separate profiles, one for WorkSpace using the 3 color profile options Hue, Saturation, and Brightness, and a separately simplified profile for the Pen F using only saturation.
Color Profile in WorkSpace
As said, it is a little more challenging to create profiles for the Pen F because the Pen F color profile will mainly have saturation changes. Think of combining the color creator with curves and contrast adjustments, or in special cases fine-tune the camera WB sliders to get a final look. I mostly develop my Pen F profiles with WorkSpace. When done, I enter the profile manually into my Pen F.
I keep a list of all my profiles information on my mobile phone. For more information on how to save your Pen F profiles to your PC, see my WorkSpace, how-to page (Technique #7).
Image pulled from the web with Exif data of the profile used
See my Creative Color series Part 6, discussing how to work with color in WorkSpace. You could also consider downloading a test version of DxO FilmPack 5.
Use the master color checker to copy Fuji profiles or any other profiles you like to use as inspiration. Always have a separate master copy ready and use a "working" master to photograph or apply software profiles as inspiration when creating new profiles.
