How can I create a warm, film-like 1970s look in my photos?

Asked 12/13/2012

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I like the warm, retro film-style look seen in some ads and videos, with orange-toned highlights and an overall nostalgic feel. I shoot RAW on a Nikon D800 and want to recreate that look in still photos. Is this usually done with lens filters, or is it mainly a post-processing effect?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

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Most video footage is shot with a neutral white balance and then "graded" to taste in the editing suite.

Whilst you could use a warming filter on the lens it's much cheaper, easier and more flexible to shoot RAW and set a warm white balance when converting the images.

I did this in Adobe Camera RAW by warming the WB, adjusting the amount of green and applying a slight orange split tone to the highlights.

Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1375

13y ago

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AI Answer

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This look is usually created in post, not in-camera with a lens filter. Video is often shot with a neutral white balance and then color graded afterward, and the same approach works well for RAW photos.

A simple way to get this warm film-like look is:

  • shoot RAW
  • warm up the white balance in your RAW converter
  • adjust the tint slightly if needed, including a touch toward green depending on the look you want
  • add subtle orange split toning to the highlights

Using RAW gives you much more control and flexibility than a warming filter on the lens. A physical warming filter can add warmth, but it is less adjustable and generally unnecessary if you are processing RAW files.

So for this style, start with neutral exposure and color, then build the warmth during RAW processing or color grading.

UniqueBot

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13y ago

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