Topic: Trichromy / Trichromie: Three colour process

[Abdul Hye]

I’ve been experimenting with Trichromy in the last few months.

At first it was difficult to obtain the correct filters, especially the blue. I experimented with the Hoya 80A in place of the proper blue separation filter and playing with the exposure compensation. I’ve now obtained all the correct Wratten colour separation filters and below are an example of the images I’ve been producing.

Tricolour KL Petaling Street by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

Tricolour KL Crossing by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

Tricolour KL Chow KitStreet by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

Tricolour KL China Town flea Market by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

London Film Photography meetup group by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

Brick Lane OPEN SPACE by Tea, two sugars, on Flickr

[irv_b]

Hi Abdul these are great well worth the homework and experimenting . The second one stands out so much for me.

[Abdul Hye]

Thanks. I've done some portraits as well and I think it's really effective.

[calbisu]

Yep, the second one works really nicely  waiting for those portraits 

[Abdul Hye]

These are a few of them.

[Indofunk]

These are AMAZING! I especially love the people only in the shot for one filter's worth

[Jeff Warden]

Awesome!  Thank you for sharing these.

[MacArron]

I never heard about this technique before (at least I don't remember) It seems pretty interesting. Now you have created in me the need of finding out more about the process and...

I love the way the portraits came out. Very good work.

I have to try it...

[Abdul Hye]

Hi, If you want to try is then you need some colour separation filters. I’m currently using Kodak Wratten 25 (Red), Kodak Wratten 61 (Green) and Kodak Wratten 98 (Blue). It took me awhile to find the Kodak Wratten 98. I have used a Hoya 80A for the blue. 80A is a very common filter and really cheap. It works okay but I think the results are nicer with the Wratten 98.

The images from Kuala Lumpur, I used my OM4 and let it meter and exposure for me. If I’m doing it manually then I usually give it +3 stops for the red filter, +1 stop for the green and  +3 for the blue. You can experiment and see what you like.

Below is a shot of a bike using the following settings

Film: Ilford Pan 100 (Shot at 100 ISO)
Camera: Yashica 635 - Twin-lens reflex camera
Developer: Rodinal/R09 - Rollei
Stop: Ilfostop
Fix: Ilford RAPID FIXER
Kodak Photo-Flo 200

RED Kodak Wratten 25F8/60+3 stops

GREEN Kodak Wratten 61f8/125+1 stops

BLUE Hoya 80Af8/125+1 stops

Bike - West India Quay DLR station by abdul hye, on Flickr

When I’m using this technique I always shoot in this order; Red, Green and Blue. When you scan them then you’ll need to know which is which. You can automatically align them in photoshop. Then you need to create a new RGB document and copy and paste each image into the individual channel.

Here is a video of a guy making a print from three negatives. There isn’t any narration but you can get the idea of how to do it.

https://youtu.be/psU24Dp5wl0

I didn’t spend more than a few pounds on the filters. You can buy some of them from ebay from people that have listed them on buy it now. But if you wait long enough then someone will list it for 0.99p and chances are you will be them only bidder.

I run a film photography meetup group in meetup.com. If you come to a future event then I can let to use the filters I have on the day. The filters are small, 5cm by 5cm, so won’t cover a large lens.

[MacArron]

Wow. I really appreciate your long and detailed reply and explanation. Thank you very much.

I will try, for sure. I have the red and green filters, but not the blue one. Let's see what's on the bay

Regarding the meet up, I'd really love to assist but it quite far from home. Nothing that Ryanair couldn't solve for a few EUR

Thanks Abdul.