Greig Fraser shot Dune with large-format Alexa LF and infrared-modified cameras, giving the Arrakis sequences an otherworldly quality where desert sand seems to glow from within. The palette is deliberately restrained: warm ochres for Arrakis, cool slate blues for Caladan, near-monochromatic darkness for the Harkonnen world. Fraser used almost no artificial lighting for desert exteriors, relying on natural and reflected light.
The Dune look, scene by scene
Dune (2021) moves from the cool, grey ocean planet Caladan to the bleached, hot desert of Arrakis, with Paul's golden visions breaking through. Each place has its own colour temperature.
Arrakis daylight
Harsh sun, bleached sand and warm haze. Colour is muted but warm, highlights are bright.
Dune's images feel epic because people are tiny in vast landscapes. Use wide shots with small figures and lots of empty space — colour alone won't create that scale.
Recipes
Arrakis Daylight
Open desert under punishing light, everything bleached and warm
Best light: Strong sun in sandy or dry landscapes. Too warm for grey days.
Film SimulationClassic Chrome
GrainWeak/Small
Color ChromeWeak
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceDaylight
WB ShiftR+3 / B-2
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight-2
Shadow+1
Color-1
Sharpness-1
Noise Reduction-3
Clarity-1
ISOISO 200-400
Why these settings
R+3 / B-2
Warm, desert tones.
DR400, Highlight -2
Protects bright sand and sky.
Classic Chrome, Color -1
Muted, bleached colour.
Caladan
Cool overcast coastal light on the Atreides homeworld
Best light: Overcast coasts, mist, rain. Too cold for sunny scenes.
Film SimulationEterna/Cinema
GrainOff
Color ChromeWeak
CC FX BlueWeak
White BalanceShade
WB ShiftR-2 / B+2
Dynamic RangeDR200
Highlight+0
Shadow+0
Color-2
Sharpness+0
Noise Reduction-1
Clarity+0
ISOISO 400-800
Why these settings
R-2 / B+2
Cool, grey-blue tint.
Eterna/Cinema, Color -2
Soft, muted colour.
Grain Off
Clean, calm image.
Spice Vision
Pauls prescient visions — blown out, golden, hallucinatory
Best light: Strong backlight or sun flares, dreamy scenes. Not for everyday shots.
Film SimulationEterna Bleach Bypass
GrainStrong/Large
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceShade
WB ShiftR+4 / B-3
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight-2
Shadow+4
Color-2
Sharpness-3
Noise Reduction-4
Clarity-4
ISOISO 1600-6400
Why these settings
R+4 / B-3
Strong golden glow.
Grain Strong/Large, Clarity -4
Heavy grain and soft detail for a dream feel.
Shadow +4
Deep shadows against glowing highlights.
Kit list
Dune · 2021 · DP Greig Fraser
The recipe handles colour and tone. These handle what a recipe can't.
For this look
warm & nostalgic
NEEWER 43" reflector with grip
Bounce low sun back into faces. The gold side adds the honeyed fill these warm recipes are built around.
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Did you nail the look? What to look for
Warm, bleached desert scenes
Cool, misty coastal scenes
Tiny figures in huge spaces
Muted colour overall
Bright highlights in desert light
Dune recipes — FAQ
Which Fujifilm film simulation is best for a Dune look?
Classic Chrome for the desert scenes, Eterna for Caladan and Eterna Bleach Bypass for the visions.
Where can I shoot a Dune-style photo?
Sand dunes, beaches, quarries or any open, empty landscape in strong sun.
Which Fujifilm cameras can use these recipes?
All settings work on current X-Trans V bodies such as the X-T5, X-S20, X-T50 and X100VI. The X-T4, X-S10, X-Pro3 and X100V run the full recipes too. Every body renders slightly differently, so take a few test shots and adjust.
Who was the cinematographer of Dune?
Greig Fraser, who won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for the film. Denis Villeneuve directed.