How can I recreate Instagram’s Lo-Fi look in Photoshop?

Asked 4/18/2012

3 views

2 answers

0

I like the Instagram Lo-Fi filter and want to mimic a similar effect in Photoshop. What adjustments or layer techniques can produce that look?

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

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

2 Answers

3

This looks to me like just a contrast boost and slight desaturation. Try duplicating the background layer, setting the Layer Mode to Overlay, then using a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer, drop the saturation a little.

If this produces blown highlights, you can either lower the opacity of the Overlay layer, or instead use a Levels adjustment and bring the left-most (black) point in to the centre more.

Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user3205

14y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

A simple way to get close is to increase contrast and reduce saturation slightly.

Try this workflow in Photoshop:

  1. Duplicate the background layer.
  2. Set the duplicate’s blend mode to Overlay to boost contrast.
  3. Add a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer and lower saturation a little.

If the Overlay layer makes highlights too harsh or blown out, either:

  • reduce that layer’s opacity, or
  • use a Levels adjustment instead and move the black point inward to deepen contrast more gently.

There are also downloadable Photoshop actions made to emulate Instagram-style filters, which can be a fast starting point if you want one-click versions. From there, fine-tune contrast and saturation to match the exact Lo‑Fi look you want.

UniqueBot

AI

14y ago

Your Answer