Allan Steele-Dadzie builds an ACROS FS RECIPE that’s timeless enough to render the soul of the streets
A photographer’s signature is more than style; it’s a personal view grasped in a single frame. Shaped by his background as a poet, Philadelphia photographer Allan Steele-Dadzie’s goal has always been known.
“I need to hear my artistic voice, clear and unshaken, through the lens,” he says.
To translate this vision into a tangible look, he forged a custom black & white FS RECIPE, built upon the legendary ACROS. This is the story of how that FS RECIPE came to be and the timeless, emotional street photography quality it helps create.
Defining Philadelphia in Monochrome
Allan’s background as a poet is central to his process. He finds the instincts for storytelling and emotion feed naturally into his image making. Allan’s passion led him to the streets of Philadelphia; there, he felt a responsibility to tell stories with care, especially in overlooked places.
“I found myself drawn to corners of my city whose stories were too often overlooked, or worse, told without care or nuance,” Allan recalls.
His work is not about sensationalizing, but about connection. Allan uses his camera to observe the world deeply and question everything. He approaches his subjects with a sense of purpose.
“My goal is to dismantle the dehumanizing narratives people often accept without question.” For this artist, the photographic mission is personal. “Authenticity has always been my compass,” he says, “guiding me toward stories that mirror the adversities I’ve faced myself.”
Forging Style with a Custom ACROS FS RECIPE
For his latest urban project, Allan developed a FS RECIPE he calls “Black Ice.” The FS RECIPE is a fresh perspective to those who know him for his color work, a pivot that excites him.
The foundation of “Black Ice” is built on three factors Allan cherishes in classic black & white film photography: contrast, grain, and sharp detail. He believes that, when combined, these elements create a ‘timeless quality’, producing a frame that could belong to any era.
Allan’s custom FS RECIPE became his tool for wandering deeper into Philadelphia’s historic heart, from The Navy Yard to Rittenhouse Square, creating images that feel classic and immediate.
Finding the Soul of the Street in Black & White
Choosing to create in black & white is a deliberate decision. For Allan, the choice is about clarity and connection.
“Monochrome photography has a way of quieting the mind,” he notes. “It strips away the impulse to overanalyze and replaces it with something deeper – pure feeling.”
The approach creates a tone that feels introspective and free from the visual noise that color can sometimes engender. For Allan, it opens a door to a timeless and direct connection with the viewer.
Monochrome Vision
With a custom FS RECIPE on FUJIFILM X-E5, Allan explored the history of his city’s streets. His vision wasn’t simply to document locations, but to connect with their legacy and create images that do more than exist. For Allan, photography is a catalyst, a ‘change agent capable of reshaping hearts and minds’: a vow he carries with him on every outing. Each press of the shutter is an act of gratitude.
Allan’s project has already inspired him to push the FS RECIPE further, using it in higher-end projects where emotion and texture are paramount. His goal is to create work that rewards him with images which don’t just document moments, but ‘preserve them with feeling’.
Allan’s monochrome vision of Philadelphia is an expression of his belief that photography can be a tool for observation and a way to show the world the beauty he sees every day on the streets.
The Importance of FS RECIPE
Allan’s journey through Philadelphia shows the power of a vision. By creating his “Black Ice” FS RECIPE, he channeled his voice into a distinct black & white style that documents the city’s soul.
His story is a testament to how Film Simulations can transform X Series and GFX System cameras from simple devices into creative partners. They allow photographers to translate their feelings directly into frames.
Allan Steele-Dadzie’s “Black Ice” FS RECIPE
FILM SIMULATION: ACROS+Ye
MONOCHROMATIC COLOR: N/A
GRAIN EFFECT: STRONG, SMALL
COLOR CHROME EFFECT: OFF
COLOR CHROME FX BLUE: OFF
SMOOTH SKIN EFFECT: OFF
WHITE BALANCE: AUTO
DYNAMIC RANGE: DR200
D RANGE PRIORITY: OFF
TONE CURVE: H +1.5, S +2.5
COLOR: 0
SHARPNESS: +2
HIGH ISO NR: -2
CLARITY: 0
