Can a digital camera produce more natural-looking photos like film, without heavy automatic processing?
Asked 1/12/2021
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I’ve noticed that some digital photos can look overly processed compared with older film/analog photos. Is there a digital camera that can make images look more natural, without artificial enhancements? If so, what settings or shooting approach should I look for to get a more film-like, less manipulated result?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
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Is there any model of digital cameras in the market in 2021 that takes photo like analog cameras without manipulation and artificial improvements?
This seems to be a fairly common belief held by those who have never shot film or are new to photography. I say that because, well, everything is a manipulation - always has been, always will be.
Take, for example, what lens choice and the different distances from which we shoot for those different focal lengths to frame the same subject, does to a human face:

50mm is a "normal" lens and may be closest to what our eyes perceive this man to look like in the world, but note how subtly that changes at 35mm or 70mm and how extreme the changes get by 20mm or 200mm.
Let's take another example, this time with film choice.

Fuji Velvia has long been known for its intensely saturated colors and here above is how it compares to Provia and Portra (note that Velvia and Provia are slide/transparency films while Portra is color negative).
You can see that Velvia is far more saturated, contrasty, and has captured a much redder skin tone verse the Portra. I find Portra to be more natural, but by no means are the other two less real. Does this count as a manipulation to you?
Even with black and white films, you can choose between orthochromatic or panchromatic films. And within those categories, there are many options with differing response curves (which wavelength of light they are sensitive to and how sensitive they are) and grain structures. And of course, black and white is manipulated all the time with varying development and printing techniques.
So, to capture a scene, you need to:
- Capture the reflected light by way of a lens (manipulation 1)
- Capture the light onto a light sensitive film (manipulation 2)
- Develop the film (manipulation 3)
- Print/Scan the film (manipulation 4)
There are tools and techniques to alter the resultant image at every step of the above. The same is true for digital, see What does an unprocessed RAW file look like?
What I'm getting at is: your question stands on the premise that there is a way to capture an image without manipulation or "improvement" and your premise is incorrect. In the pursuit of a photograph, many manipulations occur, some deemed improvements and some detriments - beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all.
Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67377
5y ago
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There isn’t a camera that records a completely “unmanipulated” photo—film and digital both involve interpretation and processing.
With film, the look depends on the film stock, exposure, development, printing/scanning, lens choice, focal length, distance, aperture, and framing. Digital cameras do similar processing, just in different ways, and many offer picture styles or color modes that are roughly comparable to choosing a film look.
So the key is not a special camera model, but using settings that avoid aggressive processing. Most digital cameras can be set for a more neutral, natural result by choosing a standard/neutral picture profile and avoiding extra saturation, contrast, HDR, or beauty/smoothing effects.
Also, differences in a face often come more from lens focal length and shooting distance than from film vs. digital. A wide lens close up can distort features; a more normal focal length from a comfortable distance usually looks more natural.
If you want the most control, shoot RAW and process lightly. In short: yes, digital cameras can give natural, film-like results, but no camera is truly free of interpretation or processing.
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