Obscura Nordic Film Recipe for Fujifilm Cameras

The Obscura Nordic film recipe brings out soft, moody yet clean tones with just enough warmth to make outdoor scenes and portraits look dreamy. based on the rare Escura “Nordic Film,” a Japanese color film that uses a special developer to create a refreshing and mellow look.

Obscura Nordic Film Recipe

The Obscura Nordic film recipe is one of our latest Obscura recipes, which aims to bring out soft, moody yet clean tones with just enough warmth to make outdoor scenes and portraits look dreamy. It’s based on the rare Escura “Nordic Film,” a Japanese color film that uses a special developer to create a refreshing and mellow look. This Fujifilm recipe uses Classic Negative as the base and fine-tunes the settings to get close to the original film’s vibe—bright yet soft, natural but with character. It’s especially nice during golden hour or cloudy days when you want warmth without going overboard.

Escura Nordic film has a very distinct feel. The film gives off light, airy colors with a slightly yellow tint that still manages to feel natural. It’s got this subtle contrast that works really well with soft backgrounds and muted tones. The blue shadows lean cool, the highlights stay creamy, and greens are toned down in a gentle way. You won’t get harsh saturation or punchy blacks here—it’s more like a relaxed, filmic palette that feels calm and grounded. That’s what makes it great for portraits or scenery where you want the colors to breathe a little. Find out next how to achieve the Escura Nordic film-look on Fujifilm cameras.

View Custom Settings

Film Simulation: Classic Negative

Grain Effect Grain Size: Weak / Small
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome FX: Off
Highlight: +1
Shadow: 0
Color: +1
Sharpness: 0
Noise Reduction: -4
White Balance: Daylight, -2 Red & +1 Blue
ISO: Auto up to 6400
Dynamic Range: DR100
Exposure Compensation: from 0 to -2/3
Clarity: 0

Optional Tweaks

To get this look, set the custom setting to Classic Negative as your film simulation. Then tweak the settings to bring out that soft, Nordic feel. Set Grain Effect to Strong with Small grain for some texture.

Use Color Chrome Effect on Weak, and turn Color Chrome Blue off. For White Balance, go with Daylight and shift it slightly to R: -2 and B: +1 to keep the warmth balanced. Set Highlight Tone to +1, Shadow Tone to 0, and Color to +1.

Drop Sharpness to 0 and Noise Reduction all the way down to -4 for that gritty film look. Auto ISO works fine, but limit it to 3200 if you want to avoid too much digital grain.

Leave Dynamic Range on Auto unless you want more contrast—then switch it to DR100.

Recommended Shooting Scenarios

This Obscura Nordic film recipe works best in natural light, especially during the later parts of the day. Outdoor portraits at golden hour really bring out the muted side of the tones.

Earthy settings like wooden textures, brick, and dry grass look great too. On overcast days, the recipe still keeps colors from going flat. For street photography, it gives off a cozy, quiet look—great for cafés, alleyways, or urban spots with neutral walls.

It’s also nice for places with a Scandinavian design feel or nature shots with lots of beige, brown, and soft greens.

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Sample Photos

What Does Obscura Nordic Film Recipe All About

If you like moody color palettes and natural light, this recipe is a great one to try. It gives your photos a calm, Japanese film-like finish without going too faded or too vibrant. You still keep the detail in faces and backgrounds, and nothing feels overly processed. It’s also a good fit for storytelling—whether you’re walking through a quiet city street, hiking near the woods, or just catching that warm, final light of the day. The recipe handles all of that with ease.

Obscura Nordic might be one of the more underrated film stocks out there. It’s simple, beautiful, and consistent—especially if you like a clean, cozy aesthetic. Whether you’re into portrait work, landscapes, or casual everyday shots, this is one of the Japanese film recipes that gives you a nice mix of warmth and clarity. Give it a shot next time you’re heading out in golden hour light or cloudy afternoon weather. It just might become one of your go-to looks.

Note: The Fujifilm film simulation recipes shared on this website are based on personal experience and experimentation. These settings are designed to mimic the look of various film stocks but are not exact replications. Film characteristics vary based on factors such as lighting, lens choice, and camera model. Results may differ depending on individual shooting conditions and preferences. Use these recipes as a creative starting point and adjust them to suit your style. This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fujifilm or Kodak. Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which help support the site at no extra cost to you.

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