Darius Khondji shot Uncut Gems on film for the Safdies — kinetic, grainy and anxious, drowning the Diamond District in blown neon, sickly fluorescents and jeweler's gold. Saturated but dirty, with deep blacks and constant sparkle, the look is as restless as the film itself.
Recipes
Diamond District Neon
The shop's mix of fluorescent light, neon signage and gold
Film SimulationClassic Neg
GrainStrong/Small
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueWeak
White BalanceFluorescent 1
WB ShiftR+2 / B+1
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight+1
Shadow+2
Color+2
Sharpness+0
Noise Reduction-3
Clarity+1
ISOISO 800–1600
Nightclub Blowout
The strobing club neon, magenta and blue
Film SimulationVelvia/Vivid
GrainStrong/Small
Color ChromeStrong
CC FX BlueStrong
White BalanceShade
WB ShiftR+1 / B+3
Dynamic RangeDR400
Highlight+2
Shadow+3
Color+3
Sharpness+0
Noise Reduction-3
Clarity+1
ISOISO 1600–3200
Back Office Fluorescent
The sickly green-tinged fluorescent back rooms
Film SimulationPro Neg Hi
GrainWeak/Large
Color ChromeWeak
CC FX BlueWeak
White BalanceFluorescent 2
WB ShiftR+0 / B+0
Dynamic RangeDR200
Highlight+0
Shadow+1
Color-1
Sharpness+0
Noise Reduction-2
Clarity+0
ISOISO 800
Shoot this look
These recipes run on Fujifilm's film-simulation engine — any current X-series body will do. A pairing to start from: