MASTIN LABS PRESETS
A Complete User Guide For The Hybrid Photographers
By Jeremy Chou Photography
HI, I AM JEREMY CHOU.
I AM A HYBRID WEDDING
PHOTOGRAPHER.
I started my career as a wedding photographer back in 2009 strictly as a
digital photographer. Although I shot film back in my high school days, I
haven’t touched a film camera for more than 10 years. It wasn’t until 2011,
my wife bought me a Canon 1V 35mm camera for a Christmas present, and I
found my love for film again! Although I’ve been shooting film on and off for
personal projects since 2011, I’ve never shot film for clients until much later.
My biggest frustration was always that I couldn’t find a consistency in my
digital & film images. I tried many presets but nothing could get even close
to a true film emulation. A few years later, I found Mastin Presets. I became
one of the early beta testers and it has literally changed my photography
business. Because of Mastin Presets, I’ve been able to offer my clients
unparalleled consistency in both of my digital & film images. My clients are
happy and I am excited to shoot film again!
Here’s a guide to help you get the most out of Mastin Presets. Have fun!
Q
5DM3 - MASTIN PRESETS FUJI400NEUTRAL
WHY SHOOT BOTH
DIGITAL & FILM?
A. There are many reasons why I love shooting digital. The
low light capability, security, and being able to see the images
right away. But I also love the timeless quality of film. Being a
hybrid photographer, it allows me to take advantage of the
best of each medium. Speed & reliability of digital
photography, and timeless & romantic feel of film images.
Shooting film has also allowed me to be a better photographer
because each shot becomes much more deliberate. It forces
me to conceptualize the shot before the shutter is clicked.
Q
CONTAX 645 - PORTRA 400
WHY DO YOU USE
MASTIN PRESETS?
A. Two words. Unparalleled consistency. I’ve tried
many other presets before, and none of them have come
even close to Mastin Presets’ consistency. The presets
are definitely the closest thing you can come to film
without actually shooting film.
Q
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHEN
TO SHOOT FILM ON A
WEDDING DAY?
A. Most of the images you see on my blog & website are all shot with film.
Mainly portraits or details. If the light is not ideal, I have no problem
switching back to digital to give my clients the best results possible. I
typically shoot the entire reception, family photos, table visits, and indoor
ceremony with my 5D Mark III.
Q
HOW MUCH FILM DO YOU
SHOOT PER WEDDING?
A. Usually 10-15 rolls of medium format film, and 1 to 3 rolls of 35mm.
MAMIYA PRO TL - PORTRA 400
GETTING THE LOOK
If you are not getting the filmy, light & airy look you are wanting, it could be a host of reasons. Most of which will
not be because of the presets. You will want to make sure you pay attention to the following conditions while
shooting;
01
02
03
MAMIYA PRO TL - FUJI 400
Lighting. If it’s the wrong type of
light, no preset on the market will
save your image. Look for soft even
lighting, or shade. Avoid direct and
harsh lighting.
Aperture. If you are trying to
emulate the soft film look, shooting at
F11 will not get you there. Shoot as
close to wide open aperture as you are
comfortable with. I typically shoot at
F1.6 for all of my portrait work.
Background. You want that light airy
look with the couple frolicking in an
open field? Putting them in a high
school gymnasium or in front of a
dumpster will not get you the images
you want.
FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO IN CAMERA. RIGHT NOW.
1
EXPOSE FOR THE
SHADOWS, BUT NO
MORE THAN 2/3RD OF A
STOP OVEREXPOSED
2
PRE-CROP IN CAMERA
TO MATCH 3:4 MEDIUM
FORMAT ASPECT RATIO.
3
4
5
ALWAYS, ALWAYS,
ALWAYS, SHOOT IN
MANUAL MODE
USE CUSTOM WHITE
BALANCE.
START WITH 5200 WB
FOR BOTH PORTRA &
FUJI PRESETS
SHOOT CLOSE TO WIDE
OPEN APERTURE IF YOU
WANT THE LIGHT &
AIRY LOOK. I TYPICALLY
SHOOT AT F1.6 FOR ALL
PORTRAITS & DETAILS
IN CAMERA CROPPING | CANON 5D MARK 3
Select Camera Function: IV,
make sure aspect ratio is first
switched to 3:2.
Custom Function 3:others,
select “add cropping
information”
Change Aspect Ratio to 3:4
WORKFLOW
5DM3 - MASTIN PRESETS FUJI400NEUTRAL
1
APPLY DESIRED
PRESETS
PRO TIP
1.Always shoot in custom white balance. It will speed up your post editing process tremendously.
2. Apply same presets to images in similar lighting conditions.
3. Think like a real film photographer and use presets accordingly. Was it dark & gloomy? Then most likely you
will need Portra 400 or 800. Was it late afternoon with plenty of daylight? Then Fuji400 is your best bet.
2
SELECT ANCHOR
IMAGE
PRO TIP
1. I label all my film images “blue” so I can find them quickly. Use Command + F11 (or F11 on PC) to open up
the secondary display. Make sure image is set to “Locked.”
2. Even though they are film scans, sometimes you will still need to do minor tweaking to exposure, tint or
temperature.
2
SELECT DIGITAL
IMAGE TO MATCH
PRO TIP
1. Adjust the digital image in the following order - Exposure, White Balance, Tint.
2. If image is too cool, bum up “temp”. If image has a strong green cast, bump up ‘tint’ to the right.
3. When shooting, remember not to overexpose more than 2/3rd of a stop over for exposure.
3
APPLY DESIRED
PRESET
PRO TIP
1. Apply presets first, BEFORE making any additional adjustments.
2. Depending on presets used, your image will look differently. Portra tends to have contrasty & warmer skin
tones. Fuji tends to look light & airy. Use the same presets as the actual film stock you used for your anchor
image.
3
FINE
ADJUSTMENTS
PRO TIP
1. Exposure will change the colors as well. By increasing the exposure, colors will tend to shift towards more
saturated & contrasty.
2. The warmer the photo is, the ‘brighter’ it will seem. You will have to lower the exposure to compensate.
3. DO NOT be obsessed with getting 100% match. If you want 100% match, shoot film.
MAMIYA PRO TL - FUJI400
5DMARK 3 - 50MM F1.2 - MASTIN LABS FUJI 400 ALL SOFT
TONE PROFILE
Mastin Presets have same settings as seen on a Frontier scanner. Different tone profile will yield different look on your final edit.
ah
as
hh
All Hard
It typically works well with flat
lighting conditions. It gives the image
more contrast & depth.
All Soft. When there is a big range of
highlight & shadow, all soft will help
to bring back lost details in both the
highlight & the blacks of the image.
Highlight Hard. When the ‘high key’
look is desired. It will make
highlights appear more blown out.
hs
Highlight Soft. Works really well
when details are accidentally blown
out. Such as the wedding dress or
some cloud in the sky.
sh
Shadow Soft. Works really well in
bringing back the lost details in the
blacks of the image.
ss
Shadow Hard. It will give the image
more contrast; more dynamic look.
Works well with moody portraits.
ALL HARD
ALL SOFT
HIGHLIGHT HARD
HIGHLIGHT SOFT
SHADOW HARD
SHADOW SOFT
FUJI 160NS
FUJI 400H BLUE
FUJI 400 NEUTRAL
PORTRA 160
PORTRA 400
PORTRA 800
EXAMPLES
5DM3 - MASTIN PRESETS FUJI400NEUTRAL
MAMIYA PRO TL - PORTRA400
MAMIYA PRO TL - FUJI 400
5DMARK3 - MASTIN PRESETS - ILFORD 3200
CONTAX 645 - PORTRA 400
CONTAX 645 - FUJI 400
CONTAX 645 - PORTRA 400
5DMARK 3 - MASTIN PRESETS - FUJI400 NEUTRAL
5DMARK 3 - MASTIN PRESETS - FUJI400 NEUTRAL
CONTAX 645 - FUJI400
5DMARK 3 - MASTIN PRESETS - FUJI400 NEUTRAL
PENTAX 645 - FUJI400
5DMARK 3 - MASTIN PRESETS - FUJI400 NEUTRAL
WHAT’S IN MY BAG
FILM
DIGITAL
-
MAMIYA PRO TL - FUJI 400
Canon 5D Mark 3
Canon 5D Mark 2
50mm F1.2L
24-70mm F2.8L
70-200mm F2.8L
100 Macro
2 - 600EX-RT Speedlite
-
Mamiya 645 Pro TL
80mm F1.9
Pentax 645 NII
105mm F2.4
75mm F2.8
Canon EOS 1V
Sekonic L-358 Meter
Fuji 400H
Portra 400/800
Ilford 3200
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be
compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
Jeremy Chou
RESOURCES
Mastin Labs | https://mastinlabs.com
Mastin Labs Support | https://mastinlabs.com/support/
Jeremy Chou Photography Workshop | http://www.jeremychouworkshops.com
Jeremy Chou Photography | http://www.jeremychou.com
SOCIAL MEDIA
Tumblr: (ask me anything) http://jeremychouphotography.tumblr.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeremychouphotography
twitter: www.twitter.com/jchouphotos
facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/jeremychouphotography