How can I create a soft, washed-out film-style look with a digital camera?
Asked 8/25/2010
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I like the convenience of digital, but sometimes I want a softer, slightly faded or washed-out image with a more film-like feel. What’s the best way to achieve that look in post-processing, and are there any in-camera techniques or accessories that help produce it well?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
6
The answer you don't like - out of all the digitally added film effects I've tried (and I've tried many along with actually shooting film) none really come close. That is not a scientific type of knowledge, but rather an impression. So if you really really want film look, you'll end up shooting film and even then, you'll most probably be disappointed on how far your results are from the film icons.
In many cases what is perceived as the film effect is not just a film effect, but photographer's creative vision put into right film choice and shooting technique plus the specifics of the emulsion plus photographer's editing. Harald Mante's Kodachromes are worlds apart from Steve McCurry's Kodachromes (again, personal impression based on the books, can't provide a reference).
The answer you might find useful - Nik Software's Color Efex Pro plugin contains many color film emulations and their Silver Efex Pro contains B&W film emulations. Other than that, DXO FilmPack also has pretty decent choice of films. These are the ones I've tried myself and can recommend, although this is not a guarantee of realistic rendering. Based on just web examples, Alien Skin Software's Exposure also looks interesting (I'm looking forward to try out their Kodachrome emulation).
Originally by user75. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user75
16y ago
0
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There isn’t one single “film look,” and many people feel digital emulations never fully match real film. A lot of what we read as “film” is a mix of film stock, lens choice, exposure, shooting style, and later editing.
That said, you can get close to the soft, faded look in a few ways:
- In post: use film-style presets in Lightroom or similar software. This is the simplest route. Adding a bit of grain can also help.
- In camera: slight overexposure can contribute to a washed-out look.
- Optically: soft-focus filters or creative lenses such as Lensbaby can produce softer rendering and other stylized effects.
- Filter systems: brands like Lee or Cokin offer special-effect filters, including softening filters.
If what you specifically want is visible film grain, digital can only simulate it in processing rather than capture it naturally the way film does.
So the practical answer is: start with post-processing presets and subtle grain, then experiment with slight overexposure and soft-focus filters if you want more of the effect created in-camera.
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