If you want to take photos like old film cameras, you can simulate a grain filter tool. Here you can find 5 ways to add grain filter effects.
Best Grain Filter for Windows/Mac/iPhone/Android - Cheap & Beautiful
Last Updated on February 3, 2021 by Peter Wood
Grainy photos can convert different feelings than smooth photos. If you are not a professional photographer, there is no need to buy high-level film cameras and lens. You can use gain filters to create film grain effects with low cost and easy steps. Then here comes the question, which is the best grain filter? If you don’t know which one to choose, you can get some useful information from the following recommendations. Whether you are a novice or an expert, you can also learn how to create film grain texture on your computer within 3 minutes.
Part 1: Is Film Grain and Image Noise the Same Thing
Many people cannot distinguish the difference between film grain and noise. Well, film grain is a kind of texture caused by small dye clouds and metal silvers. You can enlarge RAW images to see the noticeable grains.
As for digital noise, it may look like film grain. But the image noise is the visual distortion of image details, which is affected by high ISO settings, long shutter speed, high temperature, and many other reasons. In most cases, digital noise is not a good thing for photography. You have a strong feeling to correct and remove noise from pictures.
The main difference between film grain and noise is about quality. Film grain will not influence the original quality. Thus the noise will decrease the visual quality of your picture a lot. There are many types of grain filters and overlays for images in the market. You can make your photos grainy with ease.
Part 2: How to Analog Film Gain with Ultimate Grain filter
If you are using iPhone or Android to take pictures, you can create film grain texture and color rendition with WidsMob Retoucher. Moreover, you can retouch selfies, adjust photo effects, eliminate image noise and apply other filters. WidsMob Retoucher can be an all-in-one photo editor and retoucher for beginners. Even though you take photos with your phone or budget camera, you can make your photos look better with noticeable effects. So you can be a professional photographer with this film rendering software.
What analog film grain you can get from the program? Well, you can use the premade grain filter with Lodak Ektachrome 100VS/25/64/200, Fuji Astia 100F, Fuji Provia 100F, Fuji Velvia 50, Kodak Portra 160NC/160VC, Fuji Superia Reaia 100, Fuji Superia X-tra 800, Fuji Superia HG 1600, Kodak BW 400CN, Kodak Tri-X 400, Kodak T-Max 3200, Fuji Neopan Acros 100, Ilford Pan F Plus 50, Ilford XP2, Ilford Delta 400, Ilford HP5 800, Kodak Elite 100 and Fuji Superia 200. What’s more, you can adjust the intensify and size of any grain profile with the instant preview look.
As for other advanced color rendition profiles and color modes, you can free download WidsMob Retoucher to get the detailed information. Or you can check the following features to get a quick overview.
- Analog dozens of film and film grains with different combinations.
- Adjust saturation, contrast, brightness, temperature, and tint from the least to the most.
- Do skin smoothing and whitening with the auto face detecting technology.
- Reduce image noise and preserve image details.
- Make your photo special with a color filter, color opacity, vignetting, and fish-eye.
- Widely support the input and output image formats.
Step 1: Free download WidsMob Retoucher on your Windows or Mac computer. Click Import to add your target photos. You can drag and drop pictures into the main interface as well. Then click the Next icon on the lower right corner.
Step 2: To get classic and vintage grain filters, go to the final page called Film Pack. Customize with Color Rendition Profile and Color Modes based on your need.
You can choose from No Grain, Current Color Profile, and other film grain preset in the Film Grain section. Move the Intensity and Size sliders freely. You can check the instant grain effects in the main Preview window.
Step 3: You can get a before and after comparison by clicking B/A near the bottom. Move the slider besides to enlarge and view details. Moreover, you can make your film-like picture look better with other powerful photo editing filters as well. Just go to other sections to make changes.
Step 4: Now, you can save or share your vintage-look photograph. Click Share or Save to export it. You can save your photo with JPEG or TIFF format with different quality levels.
Part 3: How to Create Film Grain Overlay in Photoshop
Photoshop is a suitable tool for creating grain effects and presets. If you have an available Photoshop subscription plan, you can get one more choice. You can use a Photoshop grain filter to analog film grain manually. For example, you can get film grain overlays and templates from Envato Elements as Photoshop add-ons. Just pay a certain monthly fee. Later, you can download unlimited digital assets and other materials for personal use.
Or you can create a Photoshop grain layer by yourself. Compared with the above grain filters for Photoshop, it takes more time and energy to add grain to Photoshop. If you don’t mind, you can do as the following shows.
Step 1: Choose Open from the File drop-down list, browse and import a picture into Photoshop.
Step 2: Click Layer followed by New and Layer to create a new layer. It is a good way to protect the original photo.
Step 3: Set Mode as Overlay, make Opacity as 100%, and mark before Fill with Overlay-neutral color (50% gray). Click OK to save changes. You can see a new layer in the Layers panel.
Step 4: Choose this newly-created layer for Photoshop film grain. Click on the Menu icon on the top right corner of Layers. Choose Convert to Smart Project from the right-click menu.
Step 5: You can see a small icon on the layer’s thumbnail preview window. It means all-grain filters and effects in this object are editable. That’s all to add grain texture to a Photoshop layer.
Part 4: Top 3 Grain Apps for iPhone and Android
Nowadays, the built-in camera on your mobile phone is powerful. You can take photos in any situation, weather and light condition. You can even capture the moon on your phone with pretty good quality. Therefore, you can install an application to add grain to a photo on iPhone or Android directly.
Top 1: VSCO
VSCO is not only a photo editor but also a film grain app for iOS and Android. You can add grain texture and analog film effects with ten free VSCO presets. You can unlock 200+ grain presets after paid.
- Add grain filter and photo effects to your pictures.
- Edit on RAW photos with advanced photo editing tools.
- Access grain preset library after joining the VSCO membership.
Top 2: Picsart
PicsArt also provides a library of grain filters and overlays. You can analog film grains and apply eye-catching effects with ease. The intuitive interface and support of image effects are friendly to new photographers.
- Add vintage and retro grain effects to your photos.
- Create film-like results with dust and grain effects.
- Apply sparkles, color mixes, captions, and other presets.
Top 3: IRetro 1967
If you are looking for vintage film grain effects, IRetro 1967 can be your smart choice. The Android grain filter app makes it easy to add film grain to pictures. Moreover, you can edit and share photos after using grain filters within the application.
- Provide analog grain, lens flares, dust-speckled photos on Android.
- Simulate retro camera presets and filters.
- It is a free grain filter app for Android. There is no subscription required.
Conclusion
That’s all about grain filters for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android users. You can use WidsMob Retoucher as recommended film grain analog software, with which you can get film grain filters from Kodak, Fuji, and Ilford. Those film grains are natural and good looking. Furthermore, you can add film grain texture and remove the imperfection of portrait images with ease.
For people who subscribe to Photoshop, using a Photoshop grain filter is also a workable way. You can create a grainy layer or install premade grain plug-in. As for iOS and Android users, there are also some highly-rated film grain applications. You can take grainy pictures like a pro without too much effort.