Today I’m pitting two analog experimental greats against each other. It’s a match-up that just might rank up there with some of the most memorable battles- Ali vs. Frasier, Rocky vs Drago, or even Tyson vs. Holyfield. But not Tyson vs Paul. Let’s forget that one even happened.
So, grab the popcorn, because in this article I’ll be comparing Lomo Purple vs Lomo Turquoise experimental films.
Fight!
While these two films deliver very different looks, they both share one notable characteristic. The ISO of these films is variable- meaning that you can rate your exposures between 100-400 without the need to push or pull the development times. The contrast, saturation, and however bold you want the color shifts to be will depend on how you shoot and rate the film.
Here’s a quick run down to help you get the best results when shooting these two films:
Color Saturation:
- Lower ISO (Overexposure): If you set your camera to a lower ISO (rated at 100), you effectively overexpose the film. This results in more vibrant and saturated colors and can enhance the visibility of color shifts. The color transformations can appear more pronounced, with richer purples in Lomography Purple and deeper blues and aquas in Lomography Turquoise.
- Higher ISO (Underexposure): Setting the camera to a higher ISO (rated at 400) will underexpose the film. This typically results in more subdued color shifts with less saturation and contrast, yielding a muted or darker look. The surreal effects might be less intense, and some colors could look washed out or subdued.
Contrast and Tonal Range:
- Lower ISO (Overexposure): Overexposing the film by setting a lower ISO can create images with lower contrast but more subtle and detailed tonal variations. This allows for smoother transitions between color shifts and a broader range of visible mid-tones.
- Higher ISO (Underexposure): Underexposing by using a higher ISO setting can result in images with increased contrast and deeper shadows. This can make the color shifts appear more dramatic but may sacrifice some detail in shadow areas.
Color Shifts Intensity:
- Lower ISO (Overexposure): The color shifts are generally more intense and vibrant when the film is overexposed. For example, in Lomography Purple, greens may become deeper purples, and in Lomography Turquoise, blues may shift to brighter turquoise or teal.
- Higher ISO (Underexposure): The color shifts can appear less intense and more subtle when the film is underexposed. Colors may shift but not reach their full potential or become more muted.
As a general rule- with any film, the higher the ISO the more grain your images will have, giving a more gritty vibe. This holds true for both Purple and Turquoise.
When you’re shooting if you’re unsure about where to rate a particular scene you could try bracketing your shots. Bracketing is shooting the same image at different exposures- for example, you’d take one image at 100, another at 200, a third at 400, and so on.
But what about the differences?
Well, the most obvious difference between these two films is how they render colors. Lomography Purple is predominantly characterized by warm purples and magentas with some blues and reds staying relatively true to life while Turquoise has a colder palette with emphasis on aqua, teal, and blue shades.
Lomo Purple emulates the look of infrared photography and shifts greens into purples, while blues and reds generally remain closer to their natural hues. Skin can have a magenta or purple tint making portraits look… well, “interesting”. Purple works well for landscapes with lots of foliage and greenery in the scene.
Turquoise is the more dramatic of the two, in my opinion, turning blues into greens and shifting reds into shades of blue or turquoise. Yellows often become deep greens. I love shooting Turquoise in the city on a clear sunny day. The blues in the sky create an outer-worldly effect that creates so much visual interest.
Example Gallery
Is one better than the other? Not really. Obviously, each film may work aesthetically better in certain situations, but there’s no hard and fast rule. That’s the great thing about shooting experimental films- some of the most unexpected results can be the most fun!
Of the two, I like Turquoise more. The wild color shifts and over-the-top rendering are exactly what I’m after when I reach for an experimental film.
Handmade prints and experimental films:
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Lomography Purple 35mm ISO 100-400 (I Roll)
Lomography Metropolis 35mm ISO 100-400 (1 Roll)
Lomography Disposable Camera (Lomo Turquoise)
Other Lomography Films