Classic Negative film simulation recipes

Classic Negative recreates Superia — the consumer color negative film in every 90s point-and-shoot — and it's the simulation with the strongest built-in opinion. Color response is split-toned: shadows cool toward cyan and green, highlights warm up, and reds saturate ahead of everything else, exactly the way a drugstore print used to look.

Contrast is punchy with a distinctive S-curve that crushes shadow detail sooner than Classic Chrome, and skin takes on a gentle warmth that reads instantly as film. It's a look that does a lot on its own — the same frame shot on Provia and Classic Negative can feel like different decades.

Because so much character is baked in, Classic Negative recipes tend to be about steering rather than building: a white balance shift, grain strong and small, and DR400 to protect the warm highlights is enough for the everyday street and snapshot looks the simulation dominates in the community.