How can I recreate this muted, pastel film-like color look?
Asked 8/20/2010
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2 answers
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I like the soft, low-saturation tones and overall style in this example image. What camera settings, lighting, and post-processing adjustments would help produce a similar look? I'm interested in both in-camera approach and editing techniques.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
7
On the surface, it looks as though he's desaturated the colors and maybe a little exposure bump. Here's an example, the first image is only white balance adjusted to daylight:

The second image is adjusted as +1.75 exposure and -52 saturation:

You can see the drop in color intensity, while retaining reasonable contrast, that the sample images you supplied seem to show. It's an interesting effect, but probably best used judiciously. Anyways, if that's what he's doing, the degree of change I described will probably vary according to the image.
Edit: A 3rd go at it using this action from Deviant Art. It looks almost cross-processed, but not quite.

Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
16y ago
0
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The look appears to come from a mix of soft light and restrained post-processing, or possibly low-saturation film. To mimic it digitally, start with bright but not harsh light—light overcast or diffused daylight works well because there are no strong shadows or deep blacks.
In post, try:
- slightly increasing exposure
- reducing saturation
- lowering contrast a bit
- lifting shadows/blacks so blacks aren’t very deep
- adding a slightly cool cast to highlights or overall white balance
Some viewers describe it as mildly film-like or even a touch cross-processed, but not extreme. If it was shot on film, a low-saturation stock and a cool scan could explain the color palette.
A good starting point is: modest exposure increase, noticeable but not heavy desaturation, and softer contrast. Then fine-tune per image, since the exact amount depends on the scene. The lighting is a big part of the look, so editing alone won’t fully recreate it if the original light is harsh.
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