Film Recipes for Fujifilm Cameras

Tag: Soft Tones

  • Retrochrome for a Warm, Nostalgic 70s Style

    Retrochrome for a Warm, Nostalgic 70s Style

    Nostalgic Kodachrome style film recipe for Fujifilm X-Trans IV cameras

    Add 50 years to a scene by shooting with Retrochrome! It’s the film recipe that whisks you back to the 70s and those warm, mellow summer evenings.

    Retrochrome uses the Classic Chrome film simulation, with a warm colour balance based on the shade setting, and reduced saturation for mellowness. The look would suit images of anything aged, like classic cars, old buildings, thrift store finds, or maybe just your morning coffee or natural scenes in sunny weather.

    The look is similar to a Kodachrome II or 25 aesthetic, although it is not based on these films in particular.

    Nostalgic sunlight. It’s a thing now, with Retrochrome film recipe

    Retrochrome Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Chrome
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Shade
    • WB Shift: +3 Red, -2 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: -1
    • Shadows: +1
    • Colour: -2
    • Sharpness: 0
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -3 (for the retro hazy softness)
    • EV compensation: +1/3

    This recipe was originally inspired by the Vintage Look recipe by E. Fung.

    Autumn moods are magnified by the Retrochome film recipe
    Forest moods, captured using Retrochome film recipe
    Autumn sunrise gorse bush
    Morning dew on the berries
    Classic Chrome for gloomy weather, Retrochome film recipe
    Those summer days by the lake, taken with Retrochrome
    Pale pink ‘bluebells’
    Deep in shadow
    Hazy sunshine is just right for the Retrochrome film recipe
    Softly does it, with the Retrochrome film recipe
    A retro look, generated by the Retrochrome film recipe
    Dappled sunlight in the forest, with the Retrochrome film recipe
    Soft blue skies, with the the Retrochrome film recipe
    Looking up with Retrochrome
    Retrochrome willow tree
    Weak hazy sun on boats, with the Retrochrome film recipe
    Old rope swing, taken with the Retrochrome film recipe
    Retro tones in strong sunshine, with Retrochrome film recipe
    Hello handsome. Captured with Retrochrome film recipe
    Busy gathering nectar, taken with Retrochrome film recipe

    Shooting in a Nostalgic Style

    Would you like to see more retro recipes?

  • Eterna 8K film recipe for Cinematic Softness

    Eterna 8K film recipe for Cinematic Softness

    Fuji film simulation recipe for X-Trans IV cameras using Eterna Cinema

    One of the fantastic skills of recent Fujifilm cameras, is to be able to shoot and record movies directly in the Eterna Cinema film simulation. This wonderfully soft simulation adds instant mood and sophistication to many shots.

    It’s no suprise then that there are a number of excellent film recipes based on Eterna, including ones especially for night use, or that work well in the golden hour. Take a look at the YouTube videos by ‘Eteernuh’, such as Beach Day Eterna and Sunset F2 Eterna as examples.

    These two in particular inspired me to experiment further with Eterna and come up with an adaptation that would bring softness and warmth to shots I took in morning and afternoon light. This recipe uses an 8000K colour temperature, and enhanced shadows to find a balance between softness and everyday usability.

    Backlit tree in golden hour, with the Eterna 8K film recipe

    Eterna 8K Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Eterna/Cinema
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Strong (IV) / Weak (V)
    • White Balance: 8000K
    • WB Shift: +1 Red, +5 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: 0
    • Shadows: +2
    • Colour: -4
    • Sharpness: -2
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: +1/3
    Fly agaric in the depths of the forest, with Eterna 8K film recipe
    Creamy white mushroom, captured with Eterna 8K film recipe
    Looking along the shore, Eterna 8K recipe
    Sunlit forest trail, taken with Eterna 8K film recipe
    Small but mighty, with the Eterna 8K film recipe
    Ivy league
    Spring blossom
    Sunflare at f8, taken with the Eterna 8K film recipe
    Pay Here
    Street light, taken with the Eterna 8K recipe
    Spring shoots, Eterna 8K
    Soft green tones, Eterna 8K
    Soft golden sunset, just right for the Eterna 8K film recipe
    Autumnal forest, using Eterna 8K film recipe
    October bracken, captured with Eterna 8K film recipe
    I found a family of Amantia, captured with Eterna 8K film recipe
    Tiny fungi, with Eterna recipe ‘Eterna 8K’
    Huge bracket fungi on a fallen tree, Eterna 8K film recipe
  • Lifestyle Negative for Magazine Style

    Lifestyle Negative for Magazine Style

    Classic Negative film recipe for use with Fujifilm X-Trans IV cameras

    Faded neutrals and earth tones are a staple of the lifestyle photography style. Pale room interiors with strategically placed rustic items, some white flowers, or maybe a leather jacket or summer hat. This style is the target with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe.

    I was asked by a reader to see if a recipe might come close to the look of the lifestyle imagery of Abbie Mellé who produces lovely images in this style. Whilst those shots weren’t on Fujifilm, there’s a similarity with Classic Negative in several of the shots I examined, so I’ve given it a go.

    Handmade wool elephant, with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe.

    Lifestyle Negative Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Negative
    • Grain Effect: Off
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: -1 Red, -4 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR200
    • Highlights: -1
    • Shadows: +3
    • Colour: -3
    • Sharpness: +1
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: +1 to washout the highlights

    Overexposure is vital for this recipe. You should be aiming to acheive a mainly white/near white to any pale toned background and burn out the highlights a little, giving the pale lifestyle aesthetic.

    Wooden heart, taken with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe
    Iris against red brick wall, with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe
    Low tide at the marina, with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe
    The sailing club, taken with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe
    Beach hut no. 55, with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe
    Sleeping cat, with the the Lifestyle Negative film recipe
    A country scene, with the Lifestyle Negative film recipe
    Greens with a classic neg tone, with Lifestyle Negative film recipe

    This recipe is similar to Pale Negative, which has a slightly warmer tone and softer shadows.

  • Eternal Sunshine for Sunny Day Softness

    Eternal Sunshine for Sunny Day Softness

    An X-Trans IV film recipe based on the Eterna Cinema film simulation

    The addition of the Eterna film simulation to the Fujifilm X-Series cameras opened up a new range of style opportunities, with cinematic softness and retro movie tone tints. The base simulation produced wonderful photos, with a warm and nostalgic feel.

    For me, a few adjustments help Eterna better suit bright sunny days, where you might want to use the softness, but with a bit more punch than the standard setting.

    This Eternal Sunshine film recipe is my choice for using Eterna in bright and sunny conditions, with softness and gentle tones that you can use on a wide range of sunny day subjects. And, of course, being Eterna, it’s great in the golden hour too!

    Crystal ball on the shoreline, Eternal Sunshine film recipe

    Eternal Sunshine Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Eterna Cinema
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Large (option to remove)
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Off (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Daylight
    • WB Shift: +4 Red, -2 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: +2
    • Shadows: +1
    • Colour: -1
    • Sharpness: 0
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 1
    • EV compensation: 0
    Sunnay days are just right for the Eternal Sunshine film recipe
    A high contrast scene, softened with Eternal Sunshine
    Harsh light leaves, tamed by the Eternal Sunshine film recipe
    Backlit with full sun, taken with the Eternal Sunshine film recipe
    Wisteria on the back fence, taken with Eternal Sunshine film recipe
    Lookin up, taken with the Eternal Sunshine film recipe
    Eternal Sunshine film recipe, adds soft smoothness to sunset
    Brightly lit morning scene, with the Eternal Sunshine film recipe
    Midday in the park, with the Eternal Sunshine film recipe.
    Extremes of contrast, softer with the Eternal Sunshine film recipe

    More Eterna Recipes

  • Soft Chrome for Gentle Natural Tones

    Soft Chrome for Gentle Natural Tones

    Classic Chrome film recipe for Fujifilm X100V, X-E4, X-S10, X-T4, X-T30ii

    Sometimes you just want a simple classic look that works just about everywhere. The Soft Chrome film recipe is my interpretation of that. It takes the versatile Classic Chrome film simulation, and adds a soft tone vibe.

    And although this recipe isn’t a Kodak clone, it still shares many of the same qualities, thanks to the wonderful tones of the Classic Chrome simulation. It uses settings that capture a lower contrast and saturation, meaning that this recipe can be used is just about any situation.

    Soft and natural tones at the style of Soft Chrome Film Recipe

    Soft Chrome Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Chrome
    • Grain Effect: Strong, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: +4 Red, -3 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR100
    • Highlights: -1
    • Shadows: -1
    • Colour: -2
    • Sharpness: -2
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: 0 or +1/3
    Spring bluebells, with the Soft Chrome film recipe
    Autumn beech leaves, using the Soft Chrome Film Recipe
    A walk in the woods, with Soft Chrome film recipe
    Shooting into hazy light, with Soft Chrome film recipe
    A soft tones sunset, captured with Soft Chrome Film Recipe
    Sparkling sunlight, taken with the Soft Chrome film recipe
    Down on the beach, with the Soft Chrome Film Recipe
    Springtime oak leaves unfurling, taken with Soft Chrome Film Recipe
    Narrow footpath, Soft Chrome film recipe
    Woodland lake, Soft Chrome low saturation and softness
    Classic chrome skies, with the Soft Chrome film recipe
    Catching the last light, taken with Soft Chrome film recipe
    Leafy silhouette after sundown, with Soft Chrome Film Recipe
    An evening sky, captured with Soft Chrome Film Recipe

    More Soft Tone Recipes

  • Nostalgic Standard for a Warm Retro Tone

    Nostalgic Standard for a Warm Retro Tone

    Warm tone film recipe for Fujifilm X-Trans IV, like the X100V, X-E4, X-S10

    Sometimes, I want to achieve a mellow nostalgic tone in my images, but I prefer not to add the extra styling of Classic Chrome or Classic Negative. This Fujifilm film recipe is for days like that. It has a gently warm retro feel from a creamy colour balance shift, but using the Pro Neg Standard film simulation.

    And, just because the mood is warm, it didn’t have to be hazy. So, I also avoided the misty effect seen in many recipes and used a +3 clarity to keep things crisp and clear, and add some additional contrast to the mid tones. This gives a mellow yet sharp recipe, which makes it sound a bit more like a cheese than a photo style, but either way I hope you enjoy the results.

    Because of the clarity setting the recipe is compatible with newer Fujifilm X-series cameras, but you can just ignore clarity if you want to try it out on other models.

    Nature walk, taken with the Nostalgic Standard film recipe

    Nostalgic Standard Film Recipe

    • Simulation: PRO Neg. Standard
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Off (IV / V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: +5 Red, -5 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR200
    • Highlights: -1
    • Shadows: +1
    • Colour: -3
    • Sharpness: +1
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: +3 (optional)
    • EV compensation: +1/3
    Mellow tones, with the Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Autumn beauty, captured with Nostaldic Standard
    Spring gorse flowers, with the Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Summer anemones in the garden, with Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    It’s that time of year again, using Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Winter has set in now, Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Tiny tree captured in a water drop, Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Rainy day leaves, with the Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Oyster shells washed up on the beach, Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Horizontal and vertical, Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Rainy view across fields, with Nostalgic Standard
    Watching & listening, taken with Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Mellow vintage tones, captured with Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Relaxing on the dried out lawn, Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Afternoon scenes, captured with Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    A woodland walk, with Nostalgic Standard film recipe
    Forest trail in strong sunshine, taken with Nostalgic Standard
    Forest ferns in sunlight, captured with Nostalgic Standard recipe
    Sun bursting through, taken with the Nostalgic Standard film recipe
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    Sunset softness, with the Nostalgic Standard film recipe

    Skin Tones with Nostalgic Standard

    Afternoon sun selfie, with skin tones by Nostalgic Standard
    Overcast day skin tone example, Nostalgic Standard film recipe

    More Pro Neg Film Simulation Recipes

    When I read about the Pro Neg simulations, I see that they were provided as good options for portrait photography. However, I find that their presentation of natural tones is lovely for nature and landscapes too. I’ve made a small handful of recipes with Pro Neg Standard and Hi.

    • Natural Standard – a naturally balanced film recipe for landscapes, rural scenes and shots in the garden
    • Retro Standard – with a warmer tint for a nostalgic look, this is a great choice for adding a mellow tone
    • Gold Standard – modelled on a classic Kodak Gold film style, this is a general use recipe

    Pro Neg on Hemelsteen & FujiXWeekly

  • Kodak Portra for a Classic Soft Look

    Kodak Portra for a Classic Soft Look

    Film simulation recipe for Kodak Portra 160 looks on X-Trans 4 cameras

    There’s a magical romance that surrounds Kodak Portra film, and I see photos with recipes for Portra 160, 400 or 800 about as often as anything other than Kodachrome. The film itself is beautiful, with soft warm creamy tones that are kind to faces, but also work really well in sunlight for urban, desert and nostalgia shots. Think faded Americana, and you’ve probably seen Portra.

    The recipe aims to show off that creamy 160 warmth and low tonal range that makes Kodak Porta such a popular choice. I’ve kept the colour down a touch, in keeping with my perference, and taken a small grain option. It’s soft, delicate and refined.

    Soft refined tones with the Kodak Portra recipe

    Kodak Portra Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Chrome
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: +4 Red, -6 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR200
    • Highlights: +1
    • Shadows: -2
    • Colour: -2
    • Sharpness: -2
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: +1/3 or +2/3
    Little boat with blue sail, with the Kodak Portra film recipe
    Autumn colour in midday sun, using the Kodak Portra film recipe
    A walk along the prom, with the Kodak Portra film recipe
    Nature photography! Kodak Portra film recipe
    A frosty morning on the New Forest, with Kodak Portra recipe
    Frosted forms, captured using the Kodak Portra film recipe
    Swimmers in the marina, with Kodak Portra recipe
    Depth of field, with Kodak Portra film recipe
    Sunset soft tones, Kodak Portra Film Recipe
    Cardoon thistles on the water’s edge, Kodak Portra film recipe
    Local sailing club, with the tones of the Kodak Portra film recipe
    Evening clouds, with the Kodak Portra film recipe
    Meadow discoveries, using Kodak Portra film recipe
    Sunny day trees, with the Kodak Portra recipe
    Spring oak leaves in full sun, Kodak Portra Film Recipe
    Leaves and sky, with Kodak Portra film recipe
    October explosion, captured with Kodak Portra film recipe
    Mushrooms of varying types, using Kodak Portra film recipe

    More Kodak Portra recipes

    Several other recipes exist already, as I’m sure you know, with these few a great choice. First up are some on this site…

    Kodak Portra Recipes from other sites

  • Mistychrome to enhance Mellow Mist & Fog

    Mistychrome to enhance Mellow Mist & Fog

    Fuji X-Trans IV film recipe for misty and foggy weather

    Of all the possible weathers, I love mist & fog the most. Whenever it is forecast, I’ll set an alarm and try and go out snapping. I wanted a recipe to capture the soft paleness of a misty day, with low saturation and flat contrast.

    In trying this out, I was very pleased with the results, acheiving a pale, low contrast look with some birch trees and New Forest ponies. A bit of over exposing can help further fade out the background, and achieve an effective separation of foreground objects.

    I’ve tried the recipe in some clear conditions too, and the effect is quite fun with a low saturation look. Although that’s not what I really made it for, I’ll continue to give it a try in a variety of situations.

    Made for misty morning, Mistychrome loves the fog

    Mistychrome Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Chrome
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: 7200K
    • WB Shift: -2 Red, +2 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: -2
    • Shadows: -1
    • Colour: -4
    • Sharpness: 0
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: +2/3
    8:30am amongst the oak trees, with Mistychrome film recipe
    Morning reflections, captured with Mistychrome film recipe
    Sunlight is burning away the mist. Mistychrome film recipe
    New Forest Pony, with the Mistychrome recipe
    Misty scene in the New Forest, taken with Mistychrome
    Sunny woodlands, low saturation with Mistychrome film recipe
    Magnolia blooms
    Spring gorse
    A drizzly morning in Branscombe, with Mistychrome film recipe
    Looking down the street, with Mistychrome film recipe
    Still drizzling, captured with Mistychrome film recipe
    Misty woodlands are just right for the Mistychrome film recipe
    Beech leaves on a misty day, with Mistychrome film recipe
    A forest walk, captured with Mistychrome film recipe
  • Soft Negative film recipe with Classic Negative

    Soft Negative film recipe with Classic Negative

    Fujifilm simulation Soft Negative recipe for X-Trans IV cameras

    This film recipe is intended to be a versatile all rounder which can be used in a wide variety of conditions. It is based on the excellent classic negative simulation, adapted with color balance amd tone curve for softer, nostalgic tone.

    These changes add softness and warmth to the classic negative look, giving a gentle mood a bit loke old negative prints. I call it Soft Negative, because of this characteristic, although I did initially call it Aged Negative when I first created it.

    It works espcially well in the golden hour around sunrise or sunset, and renders lovely skies around this time of day. Even in twilight, the tones have a cosy, but not overpowering style. That doesn’t mean it’s not suitable at other times of course, and I find it works well on cloudy and dull days too.

    For me, this is the soft and nostalgic style I was looking to achieve with my Fujifilm X-Series, and I take more shots with this and other soft tones recipes than anything else.

    You might also like: Pale Negative, which has a similar look and feel, or Nostalgic Fujicolor with a retro feel from similar settings.

    New Forest Pony, taken with Soft Negative film recipe

    Film Recipe for Soft Negative / Aged Negative

    • Simulation: Classic Negative
    • Grain Effect: Strong, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Off
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Strong (IV) / Weak (V)
    • White Balance: 4800K
    • WB Shift: +5 Red, -5 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR200
    • Highlights: -1
    • Shadows: -1
    • Colour: -3
    • Sharpness: -1
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: 0 or +1/3
    Spring Bluebells, taken with Soft Negative film recipe
    Chilling on the beach
    Post-sunset SUP
    The ultimate bug hotel?
    Dartington Trust, taken with Soft Negative film recipe
    Shrub in bloom
    Inquisitive donkey
    Pine tree detail, taken with Soft Negative film recipe
    Winter is wonderful for photos in a softer style. Soft Negative recipe
    Autumn in the woodland, using Soft Negative film recipe
    Forest mushroom (fly agaric), with Soft Negative film recipe
    Scenic route, taken with the Soft Negative film recipe
    Winter Sunset, taken with Soft Negative film recipe for Fujifilm cameras
    Floral display, using the Soft Negative film recipe
    Sunrise over the pond, with the Soft Negative film recipe
    Frosted teasels are one of my favourite things. Soft Negative film recipe
    Ivy in full sunlight, taken with the Soft Negative film recipe
    Woodland view, with the Soft Negative film recipe
    Summer greens, captured with Soft Negative film recipe
    Wintertime captures using the Soft Negative film recipe