Hoyte van Hoytema created a near-future Los Angeles for Her that feels like the world seen through a warm filter of longing. The palette is built entirely on soft reds, peaches, corals, and cream — blues and greens are almost absent. Lighting is predominantly soft and diffused, giving skin a smooth, porcelain quality.
The Her look, scene by scene
Her imagines a near future that feels warm and gentle rather than cold. Interiors glow peach and coral, memories are hazy and bright, and night walks are lit by warm streetlights. Soft light is everywhere.
Theodore's world
Peach, coral and warm interiors with soft light. Tender and calm.
Her's warmth comes from production design too — red, orange and peach clothes and walls. Pick warm-coloured subjects and backgrounds, and the recipe will tie it together.
Best light: Soft indoor window light, warm interiors. Too warm for cool scenes.
Film SimulationAstia/Soft
GrainOff
Color ChromeWeak
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceShade
WB ShiftR+4 / B-3
Dynamic RangeDR100
Highlight+1
Shadow-1
Color+2
Sharpness-1
Noise Reduction+0
Clarity-1
ISOISO 200-400
Why these settings
Shade WB, R+4 / B-3
Strong peach warmth.
Astia/Soft, Color +2
Soft, flattering skin with gentle colour.
DR100, Highlight +1
Bright, airy highlights.
Beach Memory
Overexposed, hazy recollections with blown highlights and warm grain
Best light: Bright sun, beaches, backlight. Weak in dim light.
Film SimulationNostalgic Neg
GrainWeak/Large
Color ChromeOff
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceShade
WB ShiftR+3 / B-2
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight+2
Shadow+0
Color+1
Sharpness-2
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity-3
ISOISO 400-800
Why these settings
DR400, Highlight +2
Very bright, hazy highlights.
Clarity -3, Sharpness -2
Soft, dreamy detail.
Grain Weak/Large
A warm film texture.
Night City Walk
Warm sodium streetlights on empty streets, quiet melancholy
Best light: Streets at night with warm lights. Too warm for daylight.
Film SimulationClassic Chrome
GrainWeak/Small
Color ChromeWeak
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceIncandescent
WB ShiftR+2 / B-1
Dynamic RangeDR200
Highlight-1
Shadow+2
Color+0
Sharpness-1
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity-1
ISOISO 800-1600
Why these settings
Incandescent WB, R+2 / B-1
Warm streetlight colour.
Shadow +2
Deep night shadows.
Clarity -1
Soft, quiet feel.
Add the atmosphere: a mist filter
Her's warm, tender look depends on soft highlights that gently bloom into the frame. A black mist filter does in camera what no recipe can: it makes highlights bloom and softens contrast slightly, without washing out the blacks. A 1/4 strength is the safe starting point.
The size depends on your lens, not the camera body — pick it on the product page.
XF 35mm f/2 R WR
43mm
XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR
58mm
XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR
62mm
XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR
67mm
XF 18-55mm / XF 16-50mm kit
58mm
XF 16-80mm kit (X-T5)
72mm
XC 15-45mm kit (X-S20)
52mm
X100VI (with AR-X100 adapter)
49mm
X100VI: the lens has no filter thread, so you need the AR-X100 adapter ring first, then a 49mm filter. Several lenses? Buy one large filter (e.g. 67mm) plus a K&F Concept step-up ring set and use it on all of them.
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Kit list
Her · 2013 · DP Hoyte van Hoytema
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 peach and coral colours
Soft, diffused light
Hazy, bright memory images
Quiet, empty city scenes
Tender, intimate mood
Her recipes — FAQ
Which Fujifilm film simulation is best for a Her look?
Astia for warm interiors, Nostalgic Neg for bright memory scenes and Classic Chrome for night walks.
How do I get the soft, warm Her look?
Use soft window light, warm-coloured clothing and backgrounds, and slightly overexpose.
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. Nostalgic Neg needs an X-Trans V camera (or the X-H2/X-H2S); on an X-T4, X-S10 or X100V, Classic Neg is the closest substitute. Every body renders slightly differently, so take a few test shots and adjust.
Who was the cinematographer of Her?
Hoyte van Hoytema, who later shot Oppenheimer. Spike Jonze directed.