Lawrence Sher modeled Jokers visual identity on the New York cinema of the 1970s. The palette is built on dirty golds, olive greens, and faded teals, with a deliberate grain structure that evokes the film stocks of that era. Gotham City is grimy, decaying, shot through a permanent haze of pollution and discontent.
The Joker look, scene by scene
Joker paints Gotham in grimy greens, yellows and browns — a city in decay. The subway is sickly fluorescent, Arthur's apartment is dim and olive-gold, and the famous stairs scene finally breaks into warm, golden light.
The subway
Fluorescent light mixed with warm grime. Claustrophobic and uneasy.
Joker's gritty feel comes from yellow-green, slightly sickly colour and texture, not just darkness. Shift the white balance towards yellow-green and add grain.
Recipes
Gotham Subway
Underground fluorescent mixed with warm grime, claustrophobic
Best light: Subways, stations and fluorescent-lit spaces. Wrong for daylight.
Film SimulationClassic Neg
GrainWeak/Large
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceFluorescent 1
WB ShiftR+2 / B-2
Dynamic RangeDR200
Highlight+0
Shadow+2
Color-1
Sharpness-1
Noise Reduction-3
Clarity-1
ISOISO 800-1600
Why these settings
Fluorescent 1 WB, R+2 / B-2
Yellow-green, grimy tint.
Classic Neg, Color -1
Harsh, slightly drained colour.
Shadow +2
Claustrophobic shadows.
Arthurs Apartment
Dim interior, olive-gold light, everything slightly decayed
Best light: Dim interiors with warm lamps. Turns blue in daylight.
Film SimulationEterna/Cinema
GrainWeak/Small
Color ChromeWeak
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceIncandescent
WB ShiftR+1 / B-2
Dynamic RangeDR200
Highlight+0
Shadow+1
Color-2
Sharpness-1
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity-1
ISOISO 800-1600
Why these settings
Incandescent WB, R+1 / B-2
Olive-gold tones.
Eterna/Cinema, Color -2
Faded, decayed colour.
Grain Weak/Small
Subtle texture.
Stairs Dance
The golden hour descent — warm backlight, emerging transformation
Best light: Golden hour with backlight. Too warm for other times.
Film SimulationClassic Chrome
GrainWeak/Large
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueOff
White BalanceShade
WB ShiftR+3 / B-2
Dynamic RangeDR200
Highlight-1
Shadow+1
Color+1
Sharpness-1
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity+0
ISOISO 400-800
Why these settings
Shade WB, R+3 / B-2
Warm golden light.
Classic Chrome, Color +1
Rich but controlled colour.
Highlight -1
Protects the bright backlight.
Kit list
Joker · 2019 · DP Lawrence Sher
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.
Affiliate links — CineRecipe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Did you nail the look? What to look for
Yellow-green and olive tones
Worn, decayed environments
Visible grain
Warm, golden moments of release
A tense, uneasy mood
Joker recipes — FAQ
Which Fujifilm film simulation is best for a Joker look?
Classic Neg for the subway scenes, Eterna for dim interiors and Classic Chrome for the golden stairs scene.
Where are the Joker stairs?
In the Bronx, New York. They're best photographed in late afternoon light.
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 Joker?
Lawrence Sher, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Cinematography. Todd Phillips directed.