A Walk Through Film: Portra 400, Polaroid 600 & Tri-X 400 on the Sony a6000

A Walk Through Film: Portra 400, Polaroid 600 & Tri-X 400 on the Sony a6000

This past week, I went out on a rainy Toronto afternoon with my trusty Sony a6000, but with a twist—I set up three custom picture profiles in-camera to simulate some of my favourite classic films: Kodak Portra 400, Polaroid 600, and Kodak Tri-X 400. No LUTs, no editing afterward—just straight-out-of-camera vibes.

It was one of those photo walks where each scene seemed to match a mood, and each film simulation brought that mood to life.

Portra 400 – Rainy Elegance at Yonge and Bloor

I started my walk near Yonge and Bloor, where the rain had turned the sidewalks into shimmering reflections. The Portra 400 simulation added a soft, natural warmth that worked beautifully with the overcast skies and wet pavement.

A woman walked by with a bright umbrella and a purple coat—exactly the kind of color palette Portra loves. The colors stayed true but gentle, with soft highlights and creamy skin tones. It gave the intersection a dreamlike quality, like a frame from an old movie about the city in winter.

Polaroid 600 – Street Celebration at 509 Yonge

A few blocks south, I stumbled upon HeyTea at 509 Yonge, mid-celebration. Balloons everywhere, and one of the workers was practically hidden behind them. I switched to my Polaroid 600 profile for this one, dialing in those soft tones, low contrast, and creamy blacks.

The result felt nostalgic and playful, like a faded instant photo from a family party in the '90s. The vintage softness made the moment feel lighter, almost like it floated in time.

Tri-X 400 – Noir in the Arcade

The walk ended in a glowing arcade, where neon signs and buzzing claw machines made it feel like I'd stepped into another world. The perfect place to go full monochrome with my Tri-X 400 setup.

Heavy contrast, deep shadows, and punchy whites gave the scene a moody noir edge. A lone figure stood at a machine, silhouetted by light and surrounded by plastic prizes. It felt cinematic, mysterious—even a little bit lonely.

All of these were shot using the Sony a6000’s built-in picture styles. If you’re into getting a filmic look without editing, this approach can be a great way to train your eye and slow down. Let the camera bake in the mood and focus on the moment.

Film simulations are just visual recipes. Fuji provides them built-in, but Sony gives you the ingredients. By understanding tone curves, color shifts, and contrast levels, you can design your own look and bake it into your JPEGs in-camera.

The result? More intentional photography, a more film-like mindset, and straight-out-of-camera results that don’t need editing.