Table of Contents
Fujifilm’s in-camera film simulations have earned a stellar reputation for capturing the essence of classic films, all without requiring post-processing. Whether you’re photographing sweeping landscapes or simply capturing those fleeting moments while sightseeing, these custom film recipes for landscape photography can truly enhance your shots.
From adding subtle tones to intensifying contrast and infusing warmth, some film simulations are perfect for particular types of photography, while others shine under specific lighting conditions.
In this post, we’ll explore the best Fujifilm film recipes for landscape photography and best film recipes for sightseeing and travel photography, including the iconic Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400 and popular choices from the film simulations community like Big Negative, Classic Cuban Negative & Reggie’s Portra. And don’t miss our latest recipe designed specifically for landscape photography!
Introduction
When photographing landscapes and scenic views, the right color balance and texture can make a world of difference. Fujifilm’s film simulations are designed to mimic the look of traditional film, bringing a nostalgic vibe while offering vibrant colors, deep contrasts, and fine grain.
Whether you’re capturing wide vistas, city streets, or moments in nature, these film recipes allow you to experiment with different color palettes and grain structures. Using these simulations will help you create stunning images with natural tones and depth, making your travel or sightseeing photos truly memorable.
In this article, we’ll explore a few of the most popular and effective Fujifilm film recipes for landscape photography, each with its unique characteristics, and how they can enhance your sightseeing and travel photography. These recipes will be a helpful guide for Fujifilm users who want to capture their travel moments with more creativity and warmth.
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400 Film Simulation Recipe
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400 is a beloved film stock that brings a vibrant color palette and fine-grain structure. The colors pop without looking overly saturated, and its versatility makes it ideal for various lighting conditions. This Japanese film-like recipe is a favorite for landscape photographers because of its ability to produce realistic greens, rich skies, and balanced skin tones, making it perfect for both natural environments and street photography.
Superia X-TRA 400 is known for its ability to bring out the vibrant hues of a landscape without overpowering the image. Whether you’re shooting the deep green hues of a forest or the striking blue of a sky, this recipe will deliver tones that feel natural and vivid. In low-light or overcast conditions, it holds up well, preserving detail in shadows while keeping highlights smooth.
Big Negative – A Film Simulation Community Favorite
The Big Negative recipe by Big Negative is most commonly used by the Fujifilm film simulation community for its unique ability to replicate the feel of traditional negative film with a modern twist. It is favored for capturing a broad tonal range with deep shadows and soft highlights, making it ideal for landscapes with strong contrasts, like mountain ranges or wide open fields. The balanced grain structure also gives it an organic feel that complements scenic photography perfectly.
This is one of the popular film recipes for landscape photography and it works well when photographing both natural landscapes and urban environments. Whether you’re shooting a scenic sunset or a busy street scene, Big Negative adds depth and a nostalgic quality to your photos. It can render skies with fantastic tones and produces a beautiful, cinematic look that’s perfect for sightseeing and travel photography.
Big Negative Custom Settings:
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
White Balance: Auto
WB Shift: -2 Red, -5 Blue
Highlights: -2
Shadows: 0
Color: +3
Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: -3
Sharpening: 0
Grain Effect: Strong
Grain Size: Large
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
Exposure Compensation: +1 to +1 2/3
Classic Cuban Negative by Osan Bilgi – A Warm and Vibrant Choice
For those who love a bold, rich color palette, Classic Cuban Negative is an exciting Fujifilm film recipe that gives your photos a unique flair. This recipe is known for producing warm tones, with a hint of vintage appeal, making it an excellent choice for capturing vibrant street scenes or landscapes with rich color contrasts. The recipe highlights reds, yellows, and oranges, which work beautifully with sunrises, sunsets, or any scene that benefits from a bit of warmth.
Classic Cuban Negative brings out details in the midtones while still allowing the shadows to remain deep. It’s particularly effective for capturing golden hour light or tropical landscapes where the warmth of the environment is a key element. The result is a striking, nostalgic look that is both vibrant and rich in color.
Classic Cuban Negative Custom Settings:
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: Auto, -5 Blue & +4 Red
Highlight: -2
Shadow: +1
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -4
ISO: Auto, ISO 500 up to ISO 6400
Reggie’s Portra by Reggie Ballesteros – Smooth and Natural
Reggie’s Portra is a recipe inspired by the famous Kodak Portra film, created by Reggie Ballesteros. Known for its smooth, natural color reproduction and soft contrast, this recipe is fantastic for capturing scenic landscapes or cityscapes in a way that feels organic and lifelike. Reggie’s Portra brings out beautiful skin tones while maintaining natural colors across the entire image. This makes it an excellent option for sightseeing photography, where you might want to capture both people and landscapes in the same shot.
What makes Reggie’s Portra so special is its ability to handle a variety of lighting conditions. Whether it’s a sunny day in a park or a cloudy sky over a city, this recipe delivers a subtle, balanced image that feels timeless. The recipe also emphasizes natural light, making it a go-to for daytime sightseeing photography.
Reggie's Portra Custom Settings:
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR-Auto
Highlight: -1
Shadow: -1
Color: +2
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: -2
Clarity: 0
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
White Balance: Auto, +2 Red & -4 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1
Natura Classic – Subtle Yet Stunning
Fujifilm Natura Classic is known for its soft and subtle tones, with a focus on bringing out muted colors and delicate details. This recipe is excellent for landscape photographers who appreciate fine detail and a more understated look. The Natura Classic film simulation recipe will create a gentle, almost pastel effect on your photos, which is perfect for capturing serene and calming landscapes, like tranquil lakes or peaceful forests.
The beauty of the Natura Classic recipe lies in its delicate treatment of highlights and shadows. It’s designed to render soft, balanced colors and subtle gradations that work well with pastel skies, foggy mornings, or shaded areas in nature. It’s a great option if you’re looking to add a nostalgic, almost dreamlike quality to your landscape or sightseeing shots.
Lumen Breeze – Light and Airy
Shutter Groove’s latest addition, Lumen Breeze, is an airy and bright Fujifilm film recipe created using Classic Chrome, one of the best film simulations for landscape photography. It gives your photos a light, ethereal feel. It’s particularly great for capturing light, open landscapes or bright, sunlit scenes.
 This recipe enhances highlights while keeping shadows light and sharp, making it an excellent choice for expansive landscapes such as beaches, cityscapes, or sunny urban streets. It has a beautiful soft grain and preserves subtle textures, so it’s perfect for capturing natural details.
Lumen Breeze works well with backlit scenes, giving them a glowing, almost heavenly quality. If you’re traveling to picturesque locations with soft natural light, such as coastal or urban areas, Lumen Breeze will help capture the warmth and freshness of those moments.
Final Thoughts About Film Recipes for Landscape Photography
Fujifilm custom film looks offer photographers endless creative possibilities, especially when it comes to landscape and sightseeing photography. From the rich, vibrant tones of Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400 to the dreamy, subtle look of Natura Classic, each recipe brings out unique qualities that enhance the visual storytelling of your travel experiences.
Whether you’re photographing grand vistas, cityscapes, or quiet moments in nature, these film recipes for landscape photography will help you capture the perfect shot with ease. Consider checking our list of film recipes for travel photography.Â
By experimenting with different recipes, you can tailor your photos to match the mood, lighting, and scene you’re trying to convey. Each of the recipes listed above has its own charm, and with a little practice, you’ll discover the best ones for your landscape and sightseeing adventures.
