Trichromy - RGB color separation

[Pál_K]

These photos are amazing. It is true: nothing looks like this. This process yields a color image which is somehow more enriched than one would get with any color emulsion. It is hard to explain, yet it can be seen.


I am going to try this - but it will have to wait until mid-Spring because right now everything here colorless and I have no pretty flowers inside.

 

[dourbalistar]

These photos are amazing. It is true: nothing looks like this. This process yields a color image which is somehow more enriched than one would get with any color emulsion. It is hard to explain, yet it can be seen.


I am going to try this - but it will have to wait until mid-Spring because right now everything here colorless and I have no pretty flowers inside.

Thank you, Pál_K! The process certainly yields colors that are different than other "conventional" color film. If you already have all the necessary filters, you don't need to wait until spring. Just give it a try with some colorful objects around the house! I think the process lends well to tabletop still life, since you're locked down on a tripod anyway. Would love to see your results!

 

[dourbalistar]

Epiphyllum oxypetalum. Normally, the flower blooms at night (sometimes only once a year) and wilts by morning, but this one endured long enough for me to take a few daylight photos. Since I mainly use B&W, I took full advantage to make a trichrome color image.

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen #25 Red, #58 Green, and #47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.


2021.09.06 Roll #290-06589-positive-trichrome.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

 

[olakiril]

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen #25 Red, #58 Green, and #47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.


2021.05.15 Roll #276-06160-positive-trichrome.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

This is excellent.

Great colors in general in your photos, especially with the flowers...

 

[dourbalistar]

This is excellent.

Great colors in general in your photos, especially with the flowers...

olakiril, thank you for the kind words!

 

[dourbalistar]

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen 25 Red, 58 Green, and 47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.


2022.01.01 Roll #298-06946-positive-trichrome.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

 

[largedrink]

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen 25 Red, 58 Green, and 47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.

Great photos. The "combined using GIMP" step, how do you combine the 3 separate images?

 

[dourbalistar]

Great photos. The "combined using GIMP" step, how do you combine the 3 separate images?

Thank you, largedrink! To combine the images in GIMP, I followed the instructions in this article:
http://archive.brhfl.com/ph.brhfl.com/2012/09/07/gimp-trichromes/

There might be some slight differences with the more recent versions of GIMP, but the basic steps should be the same. I'm using GIMP version 2.10.14 and export the combined image back into Lightroom for final edits. Hope that helps!

 

[dourbalistar]

Nikon FM2n, AI Nikkor 50mm f/1.8S, Kentmere Pan 400, developed in LegacyPro L110 at 1:31 for 5.5 minutes. Three individual black and white frames shot through Tiffen #25 Red, #58 Green, and #47 Blue filters, respectively, then combined using GIMP to create a trichrome color image.


2022.02.17 Roll #299-06987-positive-trichrome.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr

 

[Dralowid]

I'm old enough to remember doing colour seps in camera for repro (cheap studio advertising stuff). Registration was everything!

 

[santino]

Really impressive still lifes. The colors are so unique. Have you ever tried to take three digital b&w pictures with appropiate filters and then merge in gimp? Probably not so much fun but should work too. I may give it a try (digital first, filmy may follow).

 

[dourbalistar]

Really impressive still lifes. The colors are so unique. Have you ever tried to take three digital b&w pictures with appropiate filters and then merge in gimp? Probably not so much fun but should work too. I may give it a try (digital first, filmy may follow).

Thank you, @santino, much appreciated! I have not tried it with digital, but I think the process is similar. Trichromy, especially with film, can yield some unique and sometimes unpredictable results. All part of the fun!