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Emilio38064002xz0b
Participant
June 15, 2024
Question

Analog photography 35mm

  • June 15, 2024
  • 5 replies
  • 421 views
Hi! What is the exact RGB color of unexposed color film? Thank you.

 

 

 

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5 replies

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 16, 2024

Also: Which RGB space are you talking about? 

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 15, 2024

    That would depend on how the unexposed film is captured.

     

    If you measured the unexposed film with a spectrophotometer you would get a different result than if you took a photo with a camera as in your sample.

      Trevor.Dennis
      Community Expert
      Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 17, 2024

      I was thinking along the same lines.  If you want an exact RGB value, then the light source, time of day, colour of nearby reflective surfaces, colour space used if recorded with a camera, as well as the make of the film stock will all make a difference.  As I remember it, color slide film was much darkner that color negative.  

        KR Seals
        Community Expert
        KR SealsCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 15, 2024

        In my experience, it will vary from roll to roll of the same film type depending on the processing.

         

        Ken Seals - Nikon Z 9, Z 8, 14mm-800mm. Computer Win 11 Pro, I7-14700K, 64GB, RTX3070TI. Travel machine: 2021 MacBook Pro M1 MAX 64GB. All Adobe apps.
          D Fosse
          Community Expert
          D FosseCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          June 15, 2024

          It's been a long time, but I seem to remember it varied a bit between different types of film.

           

          By one and see for yourself. If your monitor is well calibrated it should be fairly easy to match.

            Conrad_C
            Community Expert
            Conrad_CCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            June 15, 2024

            The exact value of the amber mask can vary depending on the film brand and film type, so there is no single answer unless you have a specific film in mind.

             

            What is the goal, are you trying to invert color negative scans?

             

            If you are trying to invert scanned color negative film, you can cancel out the amber mask using Curves in Photoshop, but it’s much easier to use software such as VueScan, SilverFast, or NegativeLab Pro that are able to precisely invert various brands of color negative film.

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