Chungking Night Fujifilm Recipe
Year
2026
Client
Fujifilm
Service
Fujifilm Recipe
If you’re looking for a Fujifilm recipe to achieve a night cinematic, Wong Kar-wai–inspired look (like Chungking Express or Fallen Angels), this is one you can try.
© Chungking Night Fujifilm Recipe
Here are some things I found during testing:
/ Why Fluorescent 3?
Fujifilm has three Fluorescent options, and Fluorescent 3 gives the closest feel to Chungking Express and Fallen Angels. It adds that green-cyan shift often seen in 90s Hong Kong night scenes, giving neon lights a dreamy, urban atmosphere.
/ Why Classic Negative?
Classic Neg helps create a muted base with rich contrast. It makes neon signs and colored lights pop while pairing really well with the Fluorescent 3 cast.
/ Shadows for mood
Wong Kar-wai’s frames often have deep blacks and strong contrast. For a Fallen Angels vibe, set shadows to +3. For more everyday shooting, +2 works better.
/ Cinematic glow
To keep the fluorescent glow soft and cinematic without blowing highlights, I set highlight balance to -1 or -2.
The story
I’ve been testing this colour recipe quite a lot. Just a quick disclaimer: it’s not a 100% match to Wong Kar-wai’s films—his visual style is very unique and hard to replicate. But this can be a great option if you want a similar cinematic mood for your shots.
Chungking Night Recipe
Film Simulation: Classic Neg.
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak
White Balance: Fluorescent 3, -7 Red, -6 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -1
Shadow: +3
Color: +3
Sharpness: -2
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -4
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)
Note: these sample shots were also enhanced slightly using a Black Mist filter for extra glow.
National Gallery of Canada Woven Exhibition Poster
Strangers at the ferry