Film Recipes for Fujifilm Cameras

Tag: Soft Tones

  • Expired Superia, Fujifilm with Character

    Expired Superia, Fujifilm with Character

    X100VI Classic Negative film simuation recipe based on aged 35mm film

    For photographers that use real 35mm film, additional character can been explored by using film that has passed its intended life. These expired films will sometimes develop images with a colour cast or faded look. Sometimes though, the look is more subtle, closely resembling the original feel, but with just a little more character.

    Photographer Marcello de Vos has secured a supply of expired Fujicolor Superia film, which has a wonderfully nostalgic look.

    I was instantly drawn to a series around a small marina, captured on a misty and bright morning in the heart of the golden hour. You can see more of Marcello’s work on Threads.

    I decided to try and recreate the soft look of these images in a film recipe, and although I’m still waiting for a lovely misty sunlight morning at my local marina, I’ve managed to try out the recipe in a variety of conditions. It’s become a firm favourite of mine, and I’m sure that you will love it too.

    Did I get a good match? My Expired Superia film recipe.

    Expired Superia Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Negative
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Large
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: -1 Red, -5 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: -1.5
    • Shadows: -0.5
    • Color: +1
    • Sharpness: -2
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -2
    • EV compensation: +1/3

    This film recipe works well on X-Trans IV or V cameras, such as the X100V and X100VI, X-T4 or X-T5 and the X-S10 and X-S20. If your camera doesn’t support -1.5 and -0.5 for the tone curve, use -1,-1.

    Similar looks to explore include Kojak Gold, 123-123, Summer Story, Thassos 22 and Point and Shoot 200.

    Exploring a nature resrve with the Expired Superia film recipe
    The moon at 300mm, captured with the Expired Superia film recipe
    A late afternoon wander, with Expired Superia film recipe
    Fallen bough, using Expired Superia film recipe
    Winter fog, captured with the Expired Superia film recipe
    A frosty walk in the New Forest, with Expired Superia film recipe
    A Winchester street, in full sun with Expired Superia film recipe
    Jetty ramp in the afternnon light, Expired Superia film recipe
    High clouds in a blue sky, Expired Superia film recipe
    Fishing boats on the beach, and the Expired Superia film recipe
    A little boat made for one. Expired Superia film recipe
    Macro experiments at sunrise, with the Expired Superia film recipe
    It’s been raining again. Expired Superia film recipe
    Superior greens, with the Expired Superia film recipe
    The end of a winter’s day, with Expired Superia film recipe
  • Cine Pro, Cinematic Pro Neg Recipe

    Cine Pro, Cinematic Pro Neg Recipe

    Cinematic tones film simulation recipe, using Pro Neg Standard and negative clarity

    One of the things I love about shooting with Fujifilm is how you can achieve a wonderfully cinematic style, straigt out of camera with no fussing about. I find that these cinematic film recipes bring a film like, analog feel to images, and are an antidote to the high contrast high saturation digital bluntness that I see so often from other cameras.

    For this new take on the theme, I’ve started with the softer of the Pro Neg film simulations and then used DR400 for an even smoother gradient around highlights. This is complimented with a cinematic colour balance that is calming and slightly green/teal toned. It has a feel somewhere between Eterna and Nostalgic Negative, but is also something all its own.

    Photos taken with this recipe has a sophisticated softness and are most definitely a huge step up in character from phone photos. They have a nostalgic feel and a sense of control what makes them suitable in a wide range of conditions. Golden hour looks great, but you can use this in all sorts of light, and despite the fixed color temperature, it’ll provide wonderful results.

    Mellow, film-like mood, captured in the woods with Cine Pro film recipe

    Cine Pro Film Recipe

    • Simulation: PRO Neg. Std
    • Grain Effect: Off
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: 7200K
    • WB Shift: -1 Red, -3 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: -1.0
    • Shadows: -1.0
    • Color: -4
    • Sharpness: -2
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -3
    • EV compensation: 0

    To compare this with some similar cinematic recipes, take a look at Wanderlust film recipe, Explorer’s Cinematic film recipe, Land Rover film recipe and Cinestill 400D film recipe.

    Spring is on the way … Cine Pro film recipe
    Loonse & Drunen Dunes National Park, using Cine Pro film recipe
    A sunny afternoon in the New Forest, with the Cine Pro film recipe
    A hazy sunrise in Hampshire, captured with Cine Pro film recipe
    Sunrise silhouettes, with the soft tones of Cine Pro film recipe
    Brown leaf mellowness, Cine Pro film recipe
    Seasonal scenes, with the Cine Pro film recipe
    It’s a snow day … Captured with Cine Pro film recipe
    Braver than me. Sea swimming club, with Cine Pro film recipe
    A blustery day on The Solent, using Cine Pro film recipe
    Spring leaves in the sunlight, with Cine Pro film recipe
    Spring greens captured in the afternoon sun, Cine Pro film recipe
    Sunlit post box, captured with the Cine Pro film recipe
    A bright winter morning, using the Cine Pro film recipe
    Winter fog is even more cinematic with the Cine Pro film recipe
    A rocky shoreline in Mallorca, with the Cine Pro film recipe
  • Cotswold Standard, Rural English Recipe

    Cotswold Standard, Rural English Recipe

    Pro Neg Standard film simulation recipe designed for natural scenes

    On my commute to work, I often find myself daydreaming about film recipes and taking photos. The route I take passes through England’s Cotswolds and so I’ve dreamt up this recipe for rural, natural and backroad scenes.

    My go to film simulation for natural scenes is Pro Neg Standard, which has a naturally soft look and a gently nostalgic film like feel. This suits the colour palette of landscape photography, and looks lovely in soft sunlight, such as at the ends of the day. In this spirit, Costwold Standard has a warm colour balance, reminiscent of the warm tones of the buildings and summer fields found in this region.

    I’ve tested this recipe on my X-S10 from winter though to mid-summer and found it a flexible and versatile recipe, keeping a soft look throughout the seasons. I’m sure it’ll also work where you live, and bring a similar feel to your images too.

    Winter walks amongst the big trees, using Cotswold Standard film recipe

    Cotswold Standard Film Recipe

    • Simulation: PRO Neg. Std
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Off (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: +4 Red, -6 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: -1.5
    • Shadows: +0.5
    • Color: -2
    • Sharpness: -1
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: +1/3
    A winter visit to Montacute House, using Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Around the gardens of Montacute House, Cotswold Standard film recipe
    A summer afternoon, with the Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Summer wheatfield detail, using Cotswold Standard film recipe
    A golden hour silhouette, with the Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Interesting plants, captured with the Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Winter photowalks with the Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Playing with the light inside Montacute, Cotswold Standard film recipe
    A last look before leaving, with Cotswold Standard film recipe
    The bare trees of a winter woodland, Cotswold Standard film recipe
    A dusting of snow, using the Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Mellow tones in the mellow season, Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Sunlight and dead leaves, captured with Cotswold Standard film recipe
    Even in winter, there are kite surfers. Cotswold Standard film recipe
    A winter afternoon on the shore, Cotswold Standard film recipe
  • Kodak Portra 160 Film Recipe

    Kodak Portra 160 Film Recipe

    Recreating the classic Kodak film look with Fujifilm X-Trans IV

    I’ve been spending time on Threads recently, and enjoying the posts of some film photographers. I like to see how different film stocks render and think about capturing the vibe in a film recipe.

    The various Kodak Portra films are very popular, and I see 400 and 800 a lot. A little less often, I come across images with Portra 160, and these inspired me to have a fresh try at captuing this classic Kodak look.

    I personally feel that you can creatie a Kodak Portra style with several of the film simulations in our cameras. I’ve used Classic Chrome a few times, Classic Negative and even Pro Neg too (see bottom of the page), but for this soft film style, my starting point was Eterna.

    Some Portra recipes push the creamy tones aesthetic quite hard, but I don’t always see this in scans of actual Portra photos. So this recipe is another contribution to the growing list of Portra looks, but it’s one that I really enjoy, and feel captures the Kodak Portra look quite closely.

    A small fishing boat on the beach, Kodak Portra 160 film recipe

    Kodak Portra 160 Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Eterna/Cinema
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Off (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Fluorescent 2
    • WB Shift: -2 Red, -6 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: +1.5 (use +1 on older cameras)
    • Shadows: -0.5 (use 0 on older cameras)
    • Color: +3
    • Sharpness: -2
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -3
    • EV compensation: +1/3
    Autumn tones in golden sunlight, using the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    The tide is in for a change, using the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    A zoomed in view of the same boats, with the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    The peak of autumn colour, using the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    November saw the peak of colour this year, Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    Winter softness, captured with the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    As autumn ends, the mushrooms start to show, Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    A winter sunrise at the rail tracks, with Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    I love frosty mornings. Just great for trying the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    Looking up … Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    Natural subjects work well, with the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe
    Go for green, with the Kodak Portra 160 film recipe

    More Kodak Portra Film Recipes

    As one of the most popular film stocks, there are a good selection of film recipes that present different takes on the Kodak Portra vibe. Here’s a few from this site and others to inspire your next photo session.

  • Polaroid SX70 Film Recipe

    Polaroid SX70 Film Recipe

    Capture the spirit of instant printing based on the classic Polaroid SX70

    In pursuit of an analog film like look for my Fujifilm camera, I’m often inspired by photographs taken with older cameras using real film. These nostalgic styles are sometimes the classics, using Kodak, Ilford or Fujicolor film stock, but I am also a big fan of the Polaroid vibe. Here, the combination of lens, camera and instant printing deliver a photo with imperfections that are all part of the feel of this type of photography.

    In this film recipe, I have taken inspiration from the Polaroid Gallery Facebook group, and in particular, two image by Giulio Berti posted in late January.

    In these simple landscape photos, there is an aged look, with a result that is over-exposed, including a retro tone from red dominance in the neutrals. It’s transportive, taking us right back to decades gone by, and it was these combinations of elements and feelings that I’m trying to replicate in my Polaroid SX70 film recipe below.

    Of course, our modern cameras are too sharp and precise to capture all of the informal and imperfect character in a real Polaroid image. But in the absence of vignette and blurry edges, we can still have fun in the spirit of shooting form the hip in a casual way.

    A summer evening, captured using the Polaroid SX70 film recipe

    Polaroid SX70 Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Negative
    • Grain Effect: Off
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Strong (IV) / Weak (V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: +3 Red, +1 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR100
    • Highlights: -1.0
    • Shadows: -2.0
    • Color: -4
    • Sharpness: -4
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: +2/3

    Also take a look at the Polaroid 66 film recipe, for an expired film Polaroid look.

    The Polaroid SX70 film recipe is a great match for summer days
    … but also works well in Winter and Spring.
    Embrace imperfect images with the Polaroid SX70 film recipe
    Summer wandering, with the Polaroid SX70 film recipe
    Winter golden hour at low tide, Polaroid SX70 film recipe
    Shooting squares at golden hour, with the Polaroid SX70 film recipe
    Forest details, on a summer walk with Polaroid SX70 film recipe
    Coming soon … a crocus emerges. Polaroid SX70 film recipe
    Looking out for seasonal details, using the Polaroid SX70 film recipe
  • Portrovia, Fuji Provia meets Kodak Portra

    Portrovia, Fuji Provia meets Kodak Portra

    A versatile film recipe with the softness of Portra and magic of Provia

    Here’s a film recipe that spans the divide between the film styles of Fujifilm and Kodak. It blends the all round versatility of Fujicolor Provia with it’s magical colours, and the softness and film like feel of Kodak Portra. It’s a mash-up of sorts.

    I’ve already made a pair of perfectly serviceable recipes, Fujicolor Daily and Kodak Portra Daily, which present the two film house styles for everyday use. But recently, I’ve been experimenting with the Provia film simulation, and enjoying the results. It has a less pronounced style than other simulations, but still has something of the famous Fujifilm colours about it.

    So, I was excited to see how a blend of the two styles might work out. I’ve applied the characteristic warm colour balance shift of Portra (although in a gentle way), the softness of DR400 and lifted shadows, plus a stop of over exposure, which you can push to 2 stops if you prefer.

    So here we have it, Portrovia, an in betweener hybrid of the Fujicolor and Kodak styles, with a look that is versatile and flexible for all round shooting.

    Hanging on through the winter, Portrovia film recipe

    Portrovia Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Provia/Standard
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: Auto
    • WB Shift: +2 Red, -4 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: -1.0
    • Shadows: -1.0
    • Color: -2
    • Sharpness: -1
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -3 (for analog softness, can use a filter if you prefer)
    • EV compensation: +1/3 for the lighter tone Portra vibe
    Autumn moods, captured using the Portrovia film recipe
    Later afternoon with blue skies one way, gold the other. Portrovia film recipe
    There is still some colour in the winter. Portrovia film recipe
    Summer blues, captured using the Portrovia film recipe
    Down by the sea, exploring with Portrovia film recipe
    A sunset in the reeds, using Portrovia film recipe
    A winter golden hour, with the Fuji / Kodak feel of Portrovia film recipe
    Sunrise dew drops, with the Portrovia film recipe
    Moss on the wall, taken with Portrovia film recipe
    Summer greens, captured using the Portrovia film recipe
    Golden hour is a perfect match for the Portrovia film recipe
  • Collodion Negative, Inspired by Early Photography

    Collodion Negative, Inspired by Early Photography

    Classic Negative film simulation recipe inspired by early Collodion photography processes

    This nostalgic film recipe is a sister to the Collodion Color film recipe, in that it is inspired by the same early photographic processes. It captures a muted tone look with extreme softness, in a nod to the earliest equipment and results from experiemental color photo processing.

    The main reason for this second recipe is to give users without Eterna Bleach Bypass a chance to experiement with the same vibe. This recipe uses Classic Negative simulation, which if you don’t have, you could swap for Pro Neg Standard instead.

    The main element here remains the strong -5 clarity setting, which adds a dreamy softness to images, and is especially impactful in out of focus areas, adding a hazy bokeh feel. This setting is one that many people dislike because of the processing delay, but it is a key element in the look, so do keep it if you can be patient between shots.

    The resulting images are nostalgic, soft and have a muted tone. The recipe works well in soft light and the golden hour, and with the softness in out of focus areas, is a great one to try with macro subjects or abrstrat or detail shots. The look is simiar to Collodion Color, which inspired this recipe, so feel free to use either, and have some fun.

    Inspired by early photography, the Collodion Negative film recipe

    Collodion Negative Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Classic Negative
    • Grain Effect: Off
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Strong (IV) / Weak (V)
    • White Balance: 6400K
    • WB Shift: 0 Red, +3 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR200
    • Highlights: +1.0
    • Shadows: -2.0
    • Color: -4
    • Sharpness: 0
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -5
    • EV compensation: -1/3

    Compare this to the Collodion Color film recipe, and use the one you like the best.

    A January sunrise, captured with the Collodion Negative film recipe
    Soft and creamy tones on winter teasels, with Collodion Negative film recipe
    A sunny day with early buds beginning to form. Collodion Negative film recipe
    Tiny bud against the blue winter sky. Collodion Negative film recipe
    A muted vintage look for summer daisies, with Collodion Negative film recipe
    Full sunset mood on a winter fern, Collodion Negative film recipe
    Up close with a winter fern, using Collodion Negative film recipe
    A summer poppy in bright sunlight, Collodion Negative film recipe
    Scenes from Crab Wood in mid summer, using Collodion Negative film recipe
    Forest details with a macro adapter, Collodion Negative film recipe
    Try it at sunrise or sunset. Collodion Negative film recipe
    Collodion Negative is a great choice for golden hour
  • Collodion Color, Early Film Process

    Collodion Color, Early Film Process

    Soft and muted film recipe with an antique look inspired by pioneering early print development

    Here’s a film recipe concept that is inspired the the pioneering photographers of the past. It looks to repreduce colours and softness seen in some of the first experiemental colour photography. It doesn’t precisely mimic any specific process, but is reminiscent of early colour through the collodion process.

    To achieve the look, two divisive settings are in use. Firstly, this recipe uses a -5 clarity setting, which softens out of focus areas dramatically, but does also slow down photo saving. Secondly, the film simulation used is Eterna Bleach Bypass, which many popular Fujifillm cameras do not have, notably the X100V. If you’re in that group, you can try the alternative Collodion Negative film recipe.

    On to the results, which have something of a vintage and highly analog feel to them. The saturation is low and has a shift to a warm, brownish tone, but without any sickly orange. Personally, I love how distinctive this looks, and happily use it for a wide range of images. It’s a bit like a trip back to the early days of photography, which also being modern and fun.

    Vingate softness and washed out colour, with the Collodion Color film recipe

    Collodion Color Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Eterna Bleach Bypass
    • Grain Effect: Off
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Strong (IV) / Weak (V)
    • White Balance: 6400K
    • WB Shift: 0 Red, +3 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR200
    • Highlights: +1.0
    • Shadows: -2.0
    • Color: +4
    • Sharpness: 0
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -5

    For a similar look based on Classic Negative, try Collodion Negative with a similar feel but deeper saturation.

    Three different sunrises, captured with Collodion Color film recipe
    A history told in windows, using Collodion Color film recipe
    Tiny red flowers, captured with Collodion Color film recipe
    Summer sights in the English countryside, Collodion Color film recipe
    Frosted leaves in November, using the Collodion Color film recipe
    Macro impressions, with the Collodion Color film recipe
    Tiny details on the garden wall, with Collodion Color film recipe
    A moss forest, with soft bokeh from the Collodion Color film recipe
    Green captures on a summer walk, using Collodion Color film recipe
    A little bit of winter, captured with the Collodion Color film recipe

  • Heartland, Nostalgic Provia Recipe

    Heartland, Nostalgic Provia Recipe

    Nostalgic Provia film recipe with a natural colour tone for everyday photography

    Here’s an interesting film recipe, based on the natural and neutral Provia simulation, but with a unique look which is nostalgic and characterful. It could almost pass a a more colourful Pro Neg, and it’s natural enough to be used in a wide range of conditions.

    Much of this gently retro character comes from the use of the Fluorescent 2 colour balance option. This compensates for artificial lighting, which in turn is ‘reset’ to a more natural balance with a colour shift of +4 red and -5 blue. These in combination give a look that has a hint of warmth and red in the balance, but is still natural in appearance in daylight conditions.

    The hint of red makes this vaguely reminiscent of some Kodachrome photos from the 1960s and 1970s, but it is subtle, and to me is just a welcome dose of extra character, in a way that our Fujifilm cameras do so well.

    Heartland Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Provia/Standard
    • Grain Effect: Weak, Small
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Weak
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Strong (IV) / Weak (V)
    • White Balance: Fluorescent 2
    • WB Shift: +4 Red, -5 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR200
    • Highlights: -1.0
    • Shadows: -1.0
    • Color: -1
    • Sharpness: 0
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: -1 (or 0 if you need rapid shooting)
    • EV compensation: +1/3
    A bright day along a country lane, with Heartland film recipe
    End of season vegetation, using the Heartland film recipe
    The rusty orange of winter leaves, captured with Heartland film recipe
    A day at the beach, using the Heartland film recipe
    The seasons are changing, Heartland film recipe
    The leaves are starting their golden show, Heartland film recipe
    Late summer on the river bank, using Heartland film recipe
    A sunny afternoon on the forest trails, taken with Heartland film recipe
    Winter frosted oak leaves, captured with Heartland film recipe
    Crisp and cold winter morning, using Heartland film recipe
    Natrual greens with retro reds, that’s the Heartland film recipe
    Photowalk discoveries, captured with the Heartland film recipe
  • Nordic Soft, Beautiful Colour Film Recipe

    Nordic Soft, Beautiful Colour Film Recipe

    Natural colour film simulation recipe with rich colour and smooth tone

    The Eterna Cinema film simulation is possibly my favourite, giving a soft low contrast and cinematic feel. I love the smoothness of the tones it produces, and I’ve used it make a number of cinematic film recipes.

    I often pair this with muted colours and warm colour shifts, but in this recipe, I’ve taken a different approach. I’ve chosen a natural colour balance that works well in a wide range of outdoor situations. This makes it versatile thoughout the day including golden hour, bright daylight and moody weather, such as fog or rain.

    The second break with tradition is to boost the saturation, pushing this all the way to +4. The result delivers some wonderful results, with some of the nicest greens of any recipe and beautiful blues as well.

    As for the name, I felt that this recipe would be a perfect parter for a trip to Norway, capturing both the moody forests and pretty red houses that dot the stunning coastline. I’ve not been of course, but for an inspirational theme, it felt like a good fit.

    Natural rich greens and a soft feel, that’s the Nordic Soft film recipe

    Nordic Soft Film Recipe

    • Simulation: Eterna/Cinema
    • Grain Effect: Off
    • Colour Chrome Effect: Strong
    • Colour Chrome Blue: Weak (IV) / Off (V)
    • White Balance: 4400K
    • WB Shift: 0 Red, -4 Blue
    • Dynamic Range: DR400
    • Highlights: -2.0
    • Shadows: +1.0
    • Color: +4
    • Sharpness: 0
    • ISO Noise Reduction: -4
    • Clarity: 0
    • EV compensation: +1/3
    Pretty blue tones on weathered old boats, with the Nordic Soft film recipe
    A good partner in moody weather, the Nordic Soft film recipe
    Don’t let the weather stop you, with Nordic Soft film recipe
    Autumnal ferns in afternoon sun, Nordic Soft film recipe
    Having fun with my macro extension tubes, and the Nordic Soft film recipe
    The shingle bar appears at low tide, Nordic Soft film recipe
    Misty damp weather sets the perfect mood for Nordic Soft film recipe
    Photographing natural details on a dewy morning, Nordic Soft film recipe
    Glorious greens on an overcast day, with Nordic Soft film recipe
    You prefer blue to green? All sorted with the Nordic Soft film recipe
    A morning spent by the sea is always a good morning. Nordic Soft recipe
    An October morning in the woods, Nordic Soft film recipe
    Afternoons by the sea are also good. Nordic Soft film recipe
    An autumn discovery, taken with Nordic Soft film recipe
    Heather pinks, captured in afternoon sun with Nordic Soft film recipe
    That’s a wrap for the cinematic softness of the Nordic Soft film recipe