How can I create a dreamy vintage glow and sparkle effect with a modern camera?
Asked 11/24/2023
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I’m trying to recreate a soft, dreamy “vintage” look with glowing highlights and little sparkle/star effects using a modern camera. What causes these effects, and can they be done in-camera with filters or lens tricks, or is this mainly something to add in post?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
2y ago
2 Answers
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I think you're looking at two effects here, and your title doesnt quite match your content line.
So for dreamy blur you can add a filter that you add on the lens or you can add it in post production.
Types of filter might be labelled mist or soft, and come in a variety of strengths.
In post production there are filters or a number of techniques depending on software used.
For the sparkles, thats often called starburst and is also available as a filter, both physically to add to a lens and in software.
For a rainbow effect you would look for diffraction grating.
Add on filters might be from manufacturers like tiffen: https://tiffen.com/pages/camera-filter-collection
Aso, I've gotten similar effect from blowing gently on a uv filter (so not the lens itself) and drawing a mark with a greasy finger in the direction i wanted.
Originally by user104052. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user104052
2y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
These are usually two separate effects:
- Dreamy glow / vintage blur: Often made with a soft-focus, mist, or diffusion filter on the lens, or added later in post-processing. A similar DIY version is to put the effect on a clear/UV filter rather than the lens itself.
- Sparkles: Usually called a starburst effect. This can also come from a dedicated filter or be added in software.
- Rainbow sparkle: Look for a diffraction grating filter.
DIY options mentioned by the community include smearing a little grease/Vaseline on a UV filter or breathing on it, but don’t apply anything directly to the lens. Directional smears can affect the direction of the streaks, and tapping/smudging changes the diffusion. Other experiment-friendly materials in front of the lens include plastic, cellophane, or partial obstructions.
A more extreme version comes from intentionally “detuned” or micro-scratched lenses, which can make highlights bloom, but that’s a specialist modification rather than a normal consumer technique.
Safest starting point: try a mist/diffusion filter for glow and a star filter for sparkles, or simulate both in post.
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