X-Trans VEterna Bleach BypassColour4 photos

Bleached City Tone Recipe

Embrace the urban jungle with a cinematic touch, perfect for gritty architectural shots.

Fuji Pic StudioTested on real gear · X-E5 · Updated October 26, 2026

A modern circular building with a patterned facade against a clear blue sky.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Film simulation

Eterna Bleach Bypass

Tested on

X-E5

Sample frames

The lookWhy this one earns a slot

Bleached City Tone brings a modern, cinematic aesthetic to your urban photography. This recipe uses the Eterna Bleach Bypass simulation to evoke the feel of classic film noir, with muted colours and a distinctive urban grit. Shadows are softened for a moody feel, while highlights stay controlled even in harsh conditions, thanks to its dynamic range settings. The strong grain adds a tactile, filmic texture, enhancing the mood of modern architecture or cityscapes. Whites and greys dominate, offering a calm yet dramatic palette that suits the intricate designs of skyscrapers and urban structures. It’s at its best in overcast or midday lighting, where the unique white balance shift creates a cool, muted blue cast, enhancing the elegance of architectural details.

The settingsThe recipe

Eterna Bleach Bypass · X-Trans V

Film Simulation: Eterna Bleach Bypass
Dynamic Range: DR400
White Balance: Custom Kelvin, 4000K, −5 B
Highlight: 0
Shadow: −2
Color: −2
Sharpness: −2
Noise Reduction: −4
Clarity: 0
Grain: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
ISO: 6400
Exposure Comp.: -1/3 to +2/3

How to copy it to your camera

Open the Image Quality (IQ) menu and select an empty custom setting slot (C1–C7).
Set the base film simulation to Eterna Bleach Bypass.
Enter each value from the settings above, then save the slot.
Select that slot to shoot Bleached City Tone JPEGs straight out of camera.

Sample framesShot on this recipe

A row of modern buildings with unique architectural designs under a cloudy sky. — Architecture · Urban · Overcast

A reflection of a person holding a camera in a car's rearview mirror. — Portrait · Indoor · Mixed

A modern skyscraper with intricate patterns on its facade against a pale blue sky. — Architecture · Urban · Overcast

Notes & caveatsWhat it nails, what to watch

What it nails

Creates a moody, cinematic feel
Handles harsh light with ease
Strong grain adds a filmic texture
Cool tones enhance architectural details

What to watch

May lack warmth for portraits
Grain may overpower at high ISO
Blue shift can neutralise reds

Explore similar

GrittyCinematicUrban

CompatibilityWill it work on your camera?

Tested across the X-Trans V and GFX generations — compatibility is defined by sensor, so any body on these generations can run it.

Tested sensors & cameras

X-Trans V GFX X-E5 X-H2 X-H2S X-M5 X-S20 X-T30-III X-T5 X-T50 X100VI GFX100-II GFX100RF GFX100S-II

Best forWhen to reach for it

Ideal for capturing modern architecture and urban street scenes with a gritty, cinematic feel. Best under overcast or harsh midday light. Not suitable for soft portraiture, as it lacks the warmth and softness required for flattering skin tones. The recipe shines in mixed lighting conditions, where its unique colour palette can truly stand out.

Best for

Scenes and subjects this recipe is tuned for.

GrittyCinematicUrban

Less suited to

Where another look will likely serve you better.

Soft portraits

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

Which Fujifilm cameras support Bleached City Tone?

Bleached City Tone is designed for X-Trans V and GFX sensors. Compatible bodies include the X-E5, X-H2, X-H2S, X-M5, X-S20, X-T30 III, X-T5, X-T50, X100VI, GFX100 II, GFX100RF, and GFX100S II. These cameras support the Eterna Bleach Bypass simulation used by this recipe.

What photography is Bleached City Tone best suited for?

Modern architecture and urban street photography are its strongest applications. The restrained colours, cool cast, and pronounced grain give contemporary buildings a gritty cinematic quality, particularly when photographing intricate facades, skyscrapers, and city structures with strong geometric details.

How does the white balance affect Bleached City Tone?

The custom 4000K white balance creates a cool, muted cast, which the B -5 shift tempers only slightly. This treatment complements the recipe's restrained colours and helps architectural details feel more dramatic, especially in urban scenes photographed under overcast skies or harsh midday light.

Can Bleached City Tone handle harsh midday sunlight?

Yes. DR400 and the recipe's restrained tonal treatment make harsh midday light one of its recommended conditions. The look suits urban structures in bright conditions, although exposure still matters because overexposure can wash out highlights and reduce the definition that gives the image its gritty character.

Why is Bleached City Tone less suitable for portraits?

Its cool colour cast, muted palette, and strong grain create a harder, more urban look than many portraits need. Skin can lose warmth, while the grain may compete with fine facial details. For soft, flattering portraiture, a warmer recipe with a gentler texture is a better choice.