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.
The Uncut Gems look, scene by scene
Uncut Gems feels like a panic attack in colour. The jewellery shop mixes fluorescent light, neon and gold; clubs explode with magenta and blue; back rooms glow sickly green. Everything is crowded, grainy and tense.
The diamond district
Mixed light — fluorescent, neon and gold reflections. Colour is busy and saturated, with visible grain.
Usually photographers avoid mixed light sources. Uncut Gems embraces them — fluorescent, neon and tungsten all at once. Don't try to fix the colours; let them clash.
Recipes
Diamond District Neon
The shop's mix of fluorescent light, neon signage and gold
Best light: Shops, arcades and streets with mixed neon and fluorescent light. Too busy for calm scenes.
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
Why these settings
Classic Neg, Color +2
Strong, clashing colour.
Grain Strong/Small
Gritty texture.
DR400, Highlight +1
Bright reflections while protecting highlights.
Nightclub Blowout
The strobing club neon, magenta and blue
Best light: Clubs with strobes and neon. Overdone in daylight.
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
Why these settings
Velvia/Vivid, Color +3
Intense colour.
R+1 / B+3
Pushes towards magenta and blue.
Highlight +2, Shadow +3
Hard, punchy contrast.
Back Office Fluorescent
The sickly green-tinged fluorescent back rooms
Best light: Offices, stockrooms and rooms with fluorescent tubes. Looks wrong in warm light.
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
Why these settings
Pro Neg Hi, Color -1
Plain, slightly tired colour.
Fluorescent 2 WB
Lets a slight green cast remain.
Grain Weak/Large
Rough texture.
Kit list
Uncut Gems · 2019 · DP Darius Khondji
The recipe handles colour and tone. These handle what a recipe can't.
For this look
neon & saturated
Ulanzi VL120 RGB pocket light
No neon sign handy? A pocket RGB light becomes your coloured practical — wash a wall, a face or a mirror in magenta and the recipe does the rest.
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Did you nail the look? What to look for
Mixed, clashing colours
Visible grain
Crowded, tight framing
Bright highlights and reflections
A tense, restless mood
Uncut Gems recipes — FAQ
Which Fujifilm film simulation is best for an Uncut Gems look?
Classic Neg for the shop scenes, Velvia for the club, and Pro Neg Hi for the fluorescent back rooms.
How do I get the chaotic Uncut Gems feel?
Shoot in crowded places with mixed lighting, get close and don't correct the colours.
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 Uncut Gems?
Darius Khondji, also known for Se7en. Josh and Benny Safdie directed.