As a photographer working almost exclusively in digital, finding a way to bring character and emotion to my images straight out of the camera has always been essential. That’s why Fujifilm’s Film Simulations have become central to my process. They’re more than presets. They capture memory, mood, and texture; each baked into the image from the moment I press the shutter.
For those unfamiliar, Fujifilm’s Film Simulations are digital interpretations of the brand’s iconic film stocks. First introduced in 2004, they’re built on the foundation of over 70 years of photographic film expertise dating back to Fujifilm’s founding in 1934. But rather than just replicating analog film, these profiles carry forward the creative spirit that drove film innovation in the first place.
With digital fine-tuning and industry-leading color science, Film Simulations have evolved into expressive tools that echo the unpredictability and inspiration of their analog ancestors. Designed using Provia as a base reference, the simulations fall broadly into two categories: versatile, naturalistic profiles that suit a wide range of scenarios, and more stylised, individualistic looks that respond to a photographer’s mood, subject, or creative intent. This dual approach ensures there’s not only something for everyone, but something for every moment.
Now with 20 Film Simulations available across the X Series and GFX System cameras, there’s something for every vision and every scenario. Nostalgic Neg offers a warm, vintage-inspired feel ideal for golden-hour portraits or summer evenings. Velvia adds punchy saturation, perfect for landscapes and nature photography, delivering a vivid pop. And the latest simulation, Reala Ace, is a refined blend of soft shadows and crisp highlights. Free from the muddiness sometimes seen in digital images, it echoes the brilliance of analog prints while muting overly saturated hues for a more classic feel.
As someone who came up in the analog world and now works in digital, I find them to be the most seamless bridge between both worlds. Whether I’m shooting with the everyday-ready X100VI or one of my GFX bodies, the simulations offer me character and colors just like film. Among all the simulations I’ve used, a few have become constants in my toolkit.
Acros: My everyday monochrome
My work is rooted in black and white. I’ve always been drawn to the stripped-back honesty of monochrome, to the way it carves light into form and lets texture play a leading role. For that, Acros is my go-to.
This simulation pays tribute to the renowned Neopan 100 Acros film. It’s described as having the depth and brilliance of silver halide, and honestly, I see that every time I review my shots.
What sets Acros apart is its delicately sculpted grain structure. It’s not just digital noise, it’s expressive. It renders skin with dimensionality, gives clouds weight, and turns mundane surfaces into tactile worlds. It adapts the grain depending on brightness, which helps the image breathe.
Whether it’s portraits or the South Wales coastline, Acros gives my work the mood I’m after. It’s a simulation, but it has soul.
Classic Chrome: Color with character
That said, not everything I shoot is monochrome. This summer, I’ll be traveling more, and for those sun-washed days and quiet city wanders, I’m leaning into Classic Chrome.
Unlike other Film Simulations that directly reference Fujifilm's historic stocks, Classic Chrome is an imagined film. It was designed to evoke the look of mid-century photojournalism magazines; the kind of imagery that feels both documentary and cinematic. It tones down the magentas, cools the shadows, and creates a subtle, composed palette – colors like film.
For travel and lifestyle shots, especially those headed for social media or visual journals, Classic Chrome is incredibly versatile. Think street corners, café tables, people in motion, those in-between moments.
Eterna Bleach Bypass: Born from cinema
Another recent favourite of mine is Eterna Bleach Bypass, a simulation designed to bring a cinematic edge to your stills. While ‘bleach bypass’ is often seen in photography today, the look originated in Japanese cinema. This version goes beyond matching tone and saturation; it imagines what a bleach-bypassed image might look like if it were shot on Eterna film stock.
The result is a bold, almost surreal feel; high contrast, low saturation, and a sleek coolness. It’s perfect for architecture, modern cityscapes, or even antique interiors. I often use it in a 16:9 or even Fujifilm’s 65:24 widescreen crop to push the cinematic quality further. If you're aiming for dramatic, stylised imagery, this simulation delivers.
Easy to use, impossible to forget
One of the reasons Film Simulations have transformed my practice is their immediacy. They’re built into the Fujifilm mirrorless cameras and can be accessed and changed with just a few button clicks, or in the case of the Fujifilm X-T50, a turn of a wheel. There’s no need to wait until post to add a look; it’s there from the start, helping me make creative decisions as I shoot.
For new users stepping into the Fujifilm ecosystem, Film Simulations offer an incredibly accessible way to experiment. Whether you’re moving from film to digital or simply exploring new ways to give your images character, the ability to toggle between twenty curated profiles is like having a library of visual voices at your fingertips.
For me, they’ve become more than settings. They’re part of my process, an extension of how I see, feel, and respond to capturing the world around me. From the slow, meditative pace of medium format with the GFX 50S II, to the always-ready agility of the X100 series, I rely on these simulations not just for aesthetics, but for intention.
If you’re picking up a Fujifilm camera for the first time, my advice is simple: explore the simulations. See which one resonates. Don’t think of them as filters. Think of them as film stock; each with its own personality, each capable of shaping the emotional tone of your work.
