6 EASY Tricks To Edit Your Photos To Look Like Film

Simple tips and tricks to make your digital images look like film using online editing software, whether a natural tone or a funky 70s aesthetic.

6 EASY Tricks To Edit Your Photos To Look Like Film

The nostalgic charm of analog photography has grown increasingly popular over the last few years, though not surprising. Its effervescent tones, manual touch, and relatively simple approach spark a fresh kind of inspiration in artists around the world. And while the tangible process of film is hard to replicate, the pictorial outcome is much easier to manipulate. 

Softwares, like Lightroom or VSCO, make it fun and easy to process images similar to vintage goodies. While this guide is simple in essence and relatively basic in terms of technicalities, the below tips are a beginner’s guide to understanding the steps needed to host a similar color profile to film.

So, let’s dive in.

Shot by Mango Street.

1. Recognizing The Various Film Stocks

To plot your specific edit, you must discover which film stock(s) you’d like to emulate. I’ve combined some of the more popular film stocks below.

      Additionally, if you’re hungry for more, I wrote an example article on the 7 best Kodak 35mm and 120 film stocks that features more information about each roll and additional visual examples from other photographers. There’s also a guide for FujiFilm and CineStill in case you’d like to take a gander. I highly recommend reading these pieces if you want an in-depth analysis of the various stylizations per stock.

      Which colors best suit your subject? What stock might look best for your photo’s lighting condition? Do you want a funky hue or a desire for more natural skin tones?

      Moment natalie allen lp golden suncup thumbnail

      Moment

      Golden Suncup - Warm Portraits

      Golden Suncup is a brand new, vibrant Lightroom and Lightroom Mobile preset for portrait photographers by Natalie Allen.

      Buy for $14.99

      Shot On Film

      Shot On Digital

      Photo by Natalie Allen on film.

      Photo by Eunice Beck on digital.

      Photo by Natalie Allen on film.

      Photo by Eunice Beck on digital.

      Photo by Natalie Allen on film.

      Photo by Eunice Beck on digital.

      Photo by Natalie Allen on film.

      Photo by Eunice Beck on digital.

      2. Clarity, Sharpness, and Grain

      When editing an image to mimic film, your aim will be to emulate the characteristics of vintage cameras. Many of the cameras had less sharp lenses and fewer problems with fringing and flares. It'd be worth starting your edit by positioning the clarity down very slightly to copy that effect.

      Some artists like to add grain to their images by adjusting the sliders in Lightroom, a super popular effect that's more characteristic of film than digital.

      Film II Preset by Emilie Hofferber

      Film II Preset by Emilie Hofferber

      Film II Preset by Emilie Hofferber

      Film II Preset by Emilie Hofferber

      3. Play With Tonal Curves

      Film photography possesses distinctive qualities that differentiate it from its digital counterparts. One of the hallmark features of old film is its muted shadows and subdued highlights. This characteristic nostalgic look can be emulated in today's digital realm using tools like Lightroom or mobile apps such as VSCO.

      To achieve this look, utilize the 'tone curves' function. Adjusting the tone curves can elevate the darker shadows, giving them a softer, faded appearance. Simultaneously, reducing the whites' intensity will help achieve those characteristic faded highlights reminiscent of vintage film.

      Before

      After

      After

      4. Warm It Up

      Vintage cameras often imprint a warm, golden undertone on their photographs, a hallmark of the analog era. This nostalgic tonality can be replicated with modern tools, mainly using your editing software's HSL (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) panel.

      To emulate this classic warmth, tweaking the hue settings to introduce warmth. Then, reduce luminance in brighter zones and enhance the saturation, especially focusing on hues like yellow and orange. This approach will bring you closer to that cherished filmic ambiance.

      Film Image by Willem Verbeeck

      Before | Film II Preset by Emilie Hofferber

      After | Film II Preset by Emilie Hofferber

      5. Three Primary Colors

      Although it may sound intimidating, this is perhaps one of the easiest yet most impactful ways to shift the vintage vibe in your image. It’s similar to the HSL panel, but instead of a range of colors, you only work with the (3) primaries: Red, Green, and Blue. Tweak the blue to a few degrees left for a more aqua shine, which always gives your image a pop of unique color.

      Create your roadmap, right? Once you find the particular film stock you desire to emulate most, study the colors within the stock’s shadows and highlights. Place a more purple-by-contrast in the shadows to mimic Kodak Gold 200.

      Focusing on these 3 primary colors will impact your image best.

      Golden Suncup by Natalie Carrasco BEFORE

      Golden Suncup by Natalie Carrasco AFTER

      6. Grain

      Film photography enthusiasts often appreciate the inherent grain in analog photos, which can range from subtle to quite pronounced, imparting a strong texture. While I personally find digitally-added grain inauthentic and somewhat gimmicky, judiciously introducing texture to your digital images can convincingly mimic a filmic appearance to the untrained eye.

      When adding this effect, it's important to exercise restraint. It's particularly effective in darker, moodier shots.


      Shot by Mango Street.

      Shot by Mango Street.

      7. Try Presets!

      While creating presets of your own is fun and experimental, why not make it easier on yourself and purchase some film-like presets to start with?

      We offer super batches that are more natural and timeless, to a more 70’s nostalgic vibe. Compatible with both Lightroom and Photoshop, these Professional-made presets are perfect for having a go-to consistent look to your photos.

      Moment emilie hofferber lp film I thumbnail

      Moment

      FILM I

      Made for portrait and landscape photographers, the Film I lightroom preset helps you achieve a classic film look inspired by Portra 400.

      Buy for $15.00
      Moment emilie hofferber lp film II thumbnail

      Moment

      FILM II

      A classic film lightroom preset for any time of day. It's versatile to make golden hour, blue hour, mid-day, or foggy images transform into cinematic snapshots.

      Buy for $15.00
      Moment maris jones lp the 70s thumbnail

      Moment

      The 70s - Nostalgic

      A Lightroom preset pack made for street and lifestyle photographers who want an authentic 1970's filmic look. Grainy, warm, and reminiscent of old instant film

      Buy for $30.00

      "Kodachrome 64" Fujifilm Recipe

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