Rose on a Table – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V – “Bleach Bypass”
The Fujifilm X-T4 has a new film simulation called Bleach Bypass. At this time, the X-T4 is the only camera that has it. It might come to the X-Pro3 and X100V at some point via a firmware update, but it’s difficult to know for sure if or when that will happen. Hopefully Fujifilm will add Bleach Bypass to the other cameras at some point.
Back in February I created a “Bleach Bypass” film simulation recipe for the X-T30 and X-T3 utilizing the double-exposure feature of the camera. The results are great, but the process is tricky, and the subject has to be completely still because it requires two exposures. The Fujifilm X100V and X-Pro3 cameras don’t (yet) have the new Bleach Bypass film simulation, but they do have the new Classic Negative film simulation, which makes a “bleach bypass” look possible with just one exposure.
Bleach bypass is a darkroom technique where you skip or limit the bleach during development of color film, which causes it to retain the silver. Results will vary greatly depending on the film used and exactly how you develop it, but generally speaking what you get with bleach bypass is a high-contrast, low-saturation, grainy picture that appears as if a black-and-white and color picture were combined together. This technique is more common for motion picture film than still photography, but some people do bleach bypass with C-41 film.
Thistle Color – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X100V – “Bleach Bypass”
I don’t know how accurate this recipe is to the Bleach Bypass film simulation that’s on the X-T4. I wasn’t trying to mimic that film simulation, but instead mimic actual bleach bypass film. I know some of you will really appreciate this look, but it’s certainly not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. You can use this recipe if you have a Fujifilm X100V, X-Pro3 or X-T4.
Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR100
Highlight: +2
Shadow: +4
Color: -4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: -1
Clarity: +3
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: Daylight, -1 Red & +1 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this “Bleach Bypass” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X100V:
Silver Aspen Leaves – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Greenberries – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Back Wall – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Turkey – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Umbrella Below a Tree – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Instamatic Light – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Kodak Instamatic Shelf – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Pronto Polaroid – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Dead Yellow Roses – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Coffee & Book – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Morning Time – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Vase on a Table – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Suburban Grey – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Leaf in the Wet Grass – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Water on a Red Slide – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Lavender Lily – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100V
Sunlight in the Trees – Layton, UT – Fujifilm X100V
See also: Film Simulation Recipes
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This is beautiful, looks very close to the actual film. I’m not too bothered about inheriting bleach bypass the film simulation, it’s an interesting look but it doesn’t seem like there are many custom recipes to be made with it. I’m still holding out hope on the .5 adjustments though.
Thanks! the .5 adjustments would be great. I hope Fujifilm brings it to other cameras (such as all the other X-Trans IV cameras).
Is this possible to use on the X100f?
Unfortunately, no. There is another option. It’s not 100% compatible with the X100F, but you can still use it and get in the ballpark.
https://fujixweekly.com/2020/02/24/my-fujifilm-bleach-bypass-film-simulation-recipe/
I tried using this recipe I have a small issue. It wont let me click on the clarity option. Not sure if its locked from a previous setting I may have put on. Lastly I was wondering if you had a recommended recipe for food photography. Specifically overhead, artisanal pizza shooting. Something from bright and structured without the reds being too red and the whites being too white if that makes any sense. I also want to start shooting some pizza with a dark backdrop. Feel free to check out @vittoriasav to see my pictures that were done with an Iphone. But just picked up my x100v and ready to rock. Thanks for any help!
Best,
Kyle
The Clarity function might not work if you are in a continuous shooting mode, so I would check that first.
As far as a recipe for pizza photography (recipe for pizza? I love it!) I would try these:
https://fujixweekly.com/2020/06/29/fujifilm-x100v-film-simulation-recipe-fujicolor-superia-1600/
https://fujixweekly.com/2020/07/27/fujifilm-x100v-film-simulation-recipe-fujicolor-superia-800/
https://fujixweekly.com/2020/06/20/fujifilm-x100v-film-simulation-recipe-fujicolor-reala-100/
If the White Balance is too yellow because of the light you are shooting in, don’t be afraid to use AWB. Adjust the grain to taste.
Hey Ritchie, I hesitated using this recipe since my X-T4 already has a bleach bypass option but I finally put it in the camera and this is WAY better. It’s awesome. Thank you. I really wish I could get it in my X-T3 also. Thank you very much.
I appreciate the feedback! I wish that I could do this on my X-T30. Thanks for your kind words!
Thank you for the recipe! It’s a shame that Fujifilm never ended up adding their bleach bypass film simulation to the X100V.
It is a shame. Fujifilm should definitely give some Kaizen love to the X100V and X-Pro3, but apparently Kaizen is largely dead. I appreciate the comment!