Photoshop Tutorials

Simulate the effects of Fujifilm Velvia film. The Fujifilm Velvia film is a professional photography reversal film popular for its brighter colors and higher contrast. Like Velvia film, this Photoshop effect is great for landscape photos but may oversaturate skin tones.

Boosting Colors using the Channel Mixer

The first and most dramatic process is to boost the intensity of the colors.

Step 1

Open a photo you would like to edit. Or, you may use the photo used in this tutorial (from iStockPhoto).
Make sure that the image is in RGB color mode. To switch to RGB color mode, click on RGB Color under the Image> Mode menu.

Step 2

To boost the colors, we'll be using the Channel Mixer tool. Add a Channel Mixer adjustment layer (Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Channel Mixer).

Step 3

In the Channel Mixer tool, select Red in the drop down menu and increase the red to 150%. To balance the colors in the channel we just edited, we need to reduce the green and blue channels by 25%:
Output Channel: Red
Red: 150%
Green: -25%
Blue: -25%

Step 4

Repeat the above step for the green and blue channels
Output Channel: Green
Red: -25%
Green: 150
% Blue: -25%
Output Channel: Blue
Red: -25%
Green: -25%
Blue: 150%

Step 5

Click OK and the colors of your image should be brighter and move vivid.

Increasing Contrast

This simple process will help immitate the contrast of velvia film. 

Step 6

Add a Levels adjustment layer (Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Levels).

Step 7

In the Levels tool, drag the black input slider right until your desired contrast level has been achieved.

Final Results

Rollover the image to see the before and after effect.

Questions & Answers

1. Does this really imitate Fujifilm Velvia film 100% perfectly?
2. Why can't I just increase the saturation using the Hue/Saturation tool?
3. I want to increase the saturation more. How can I do this?
4. If I just want to increase saturation, which tool will produce the best results? The Channel Mixer or Hue/Saturation tool?

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Does this really imitate Fujifilm Velvia film 100% accurately?

We are unsure if this Photoshop effect emulates Fujifilm Velvia film 100% accurately, but the results seem close. Because we do not have access to Velvia film and film photography equipment, we used before and after examples from a commercial software that simulates Fujifilm Velvia film as a reference. The results from this Photoshop effect was a nearly perfect match as the ones produced by the commercial software.

Why can't I just increase the saturation using the Hue/Saturation tool?

Although increasing saturation with the Hue/Saturation tool is faster and easier, the results are not the same. When comparing the following two images, you'll notice that the Hue/Saturation method cannot achieve the same level of saturation as the Channel Mixer method; especially where the yellows are. The Hue/Saturation tool may preserve more detail but the Channel Mixer method better resembles Velvia film.

I want to increase the saturation more. How can I do this?

To increase the saturation even more, you may simply duplicate the layer and adjust the opacity of the new layer(s). Or, for better results, use larger values in the channel mixer. For example, instead of setting the Reds in the Red channel at 150%, try using 200%. Don't forget to compensate the other colors with lower settings (ex. -100% blue; -100% green).

If I just want to increase saturation, which tool will produce the best results? The Channel Mixer or Hue/Saturation tool?

The Channel Mixer tool will produce better results. As an experiment, follow Velvia Photoshop tutorial and duplicate the Channel Mixer adjustment layer twice so that there are three Channel Mixer adjustment layers. Now duplicate the background layer, move the new layer to the top, and use the Hue/Saturation tool on the top layer and increase the saturation to +100. Hide and unhide the top layer repeatedly and notice the differences. You'll notice that the layer you used the Hue/Saturation tool has a posterize effect.

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