A Beginner Exercise for Creating Film-Like Photo Colors
What Creates the Film Look
When people say a photo “looks like film,” it is usually the result of three things working together: slightly reduced saturation, shadows that are lifted instead of crushed to pure black, and a subtle yellow or green cast. If you adjust just these three elements by hand, you can create a similar mood without an expensive film camera. Think of it as intentionally taking away some of the crisp digital sharpness.
| Section | Key summary |
|---|---|
| What Creates the Film Look | Short key point |
| Supplies and Budget | Smartphone, using the one you already have: 0 won |
| Difficulty and Shooting Conditions | The difficulty is low, but choosing the light is half the work |
| Baseline Editing Slider Values | Short key point |
| Getting Started | Tap the screen to focus, then lower the brightness by one step so the image is slightly dark |
| Recording Your Own Tone | When you get an edit you like, write down the slider values you used |
Supplies and Budget
- Smartphone, using the one you already have: 0 won
- One free editing app: 0 won; a paid preset bundle costs about 3,000~10,000 won
- Patience to wait for a cloudy day or sunset: 0 won
- Optional: one sheet of translucent plastic to soften the light, used for a slight haze in front of the lens: under 1,000 won
In practice, this hobby costs almost no money. For the first month, a free app and your phone are enough, and you can always buy presets later after you get used to the process.
Difficulty and Shooting Conditions
The difficulty is low, but choosing the light is half the work. Harsh midday direct sunlight creates deep shadows and moves the image away from a film-like feel. Instead, if you shoot on a cloudy day or in the yellow light around 1 hour before or after sunset, half the mood is already there before editing. At first, practice with still subjects like a cup by the window or an alley wall rather than people.
Baseline Editing Slider Values
| Item | Direction | Baseline range |
|---|---|---|
| Saturation | Lower | -10 ~ -20 |
| Contrast | Slightly lower | -5 ~ -15 |
| Blacks | Raise | +10 ~ +20 |
| Color temperature | Toward yellow | +3 ~ +8 |
| Highlights | Lower | -5 ~ -10 |
Getting Started
- On a cloudy day or around sunset, choose one still-life subject by a window, hold your phone steady, and take the photo.
- Tap the screen to focus, then lower the brightness by one step so the image is slightly dark.
- In the editing app, first lower saturation and contrast a little to reduce the sharp digital look.
- Raise the blacks slider to lift the shadows and create a softer tone.
- Push the color temperature slightly toward yellow to add warmth.
- Use the compare-with-original button to check whether the edit is too strong, then pull it back one or two steps for a natural finish.
Recording Your Own Tone
When you get an edit you like, write down the slider values you used. Applying the same values to other photos makes the set feel consistent, like one album. As these notes build up, they become your own preset.