Is LomoChrome Metropolis Good for Boudoir Portraits? My Honest Hands-On Test!

Hey everyone! Welcome back to the blog. If you’re like me, you’ve probably reached a point in your portrait photography journey where traditional color films feel a little too predictable. We all love those classic warm tones and natural skin tones, but sometimes you just want a moody, cinematic edge that instantly stands out.

That itch for something unique is exactly why I loaded a roll of LomoChrome Metropolis 35mm for an indoor portrait session. Let’s dive into how this experimental film handles human subjects!

Now, let’s get straight to the photos!

For this session, I brought along my trustiest setup: the Contax S2 paired with the Contax Carl Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4* and the Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm f/2.8. Honestly, this combo is the sweet spot for heading out and just having fun—super lightweight, yet remarkably capable.

Based on recommendations from multiple film reviews, ISO 200 seems to be the sweet spot for this film. So for my very first roll, I rated it right at ISO 200. I was really aiming for that signature look—muted colors, softer tones, punchy contrast, and ultra-wide exposure latitude—which felt like the perfect match for an intimate boudoir portrait session.

Introduction: Breaking the "Rules" of Portrait Film

Usually, when photographers think of portrait films, Kodak Portra or Fuji Pro come to mind because they preserve true-to-life skin tones. LomoChrome Metropolis, on the other hand, is famous for its muted colors, desaturated greens, and punchy, bleach-bypass look.

Close-up Portrait: Soft pastel tones across the face; skin tones remain smooth and flattering despite the film's desaturated nature.

So, why shoot portraits with it? I wanted to see if its dramatic contrast and subdued color palette could give a portrait session an editorial, vintage vibe without turning skin tones completely unnatural. Here is what happened when I put it to the test!

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  Contax S2, 85/1.4

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  Mutmai on LomoChrome Metropolis 35mm

Seated Floor Pose: Warm wood floor tones balanced against cool, muted white bedding in the background.

Noticeable grain in the midtones that enhances the relaxed, moody atmosphere.

What I Loved: The Highlights (Pros)

• Muted, Vintage Color Palette: The desaturation gives the entire set an effortless, nostalgic aesthetic.

• High Contrast with Great Exposure Latitude: Even with deep shadows, the exposure latitude preserves highlights beautifully across bright backgrounds.

• Dynamic Grain Structure: The film grain shifts depending on your exposure, giving shadows a grittier texture while keeping highlights clean.

• Instant Cinematic Mood: You get an editorial, cinematic look straight off the scanner without needing heavy post-processing.

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  Mutmai on LomoChrome MT

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  Back Profile by the Window

Watch Out For These: Things to Keep in Mind (Cons)

• Needs Plenty of Light: This film loves light! Shooting indoors or on overcast days can leave your shadows overly muddy if you don't meter carefully.

• Shadows Get Dark Fast at ISO 400: While highlights stay preserved, pushing to ISO 400 steepens the contrast drastically, dropping deep shadow details.

• Unforgiving with Muted Skin Tones: If your subject doesn't have direct or strong directional light, skin tones can quickly lean cool or muted.

High-key lighting highlights the subject against a neutral, desaturated background.

Pro Shooting Tip & Best Settings

To get the best out of LomoChrome Metropolis for portraits:

1. Meter at ISO 200: This is the sweet spot! It lifts shadow detail, keeps skin tones soft, and prevents grain from becoming overly aggressive.

2. Seek Natural Directional Light: Position your subject near large windows or under direct daylight so the muted colors don't look muddy.

3. Avoid Overcast or Low-Light Indoors: Without adequate light, the film loses its punchy contrast and becomes flat

Value & Final Score

• Value for Money: It is slightly pricier than standard consumer films, but the unique aesthetic saves you hours of color grading.

• Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10

subtle grain across the highlights, giving the image an editorial magazine feel.

Conclusion: Who Is This Film For?

LomoChrome Metropolis isn't meant for crisp, everyday family photos or bright green nature shoots. However, if you are an artistic photographer, an editorial shooter, or someone looking to give portrait sessions a dramatic, cinematic edge, this film is an absolute blast to shoot.

Set your light meter to ISO 200, find a bright window, and let the vintage tones do the magic! Have you tried shooting portraits on Metropolis yet? Let me know your thoughts!