Film-Inspired Photo Editing: Digital Presets for Film Stocks

Lightroom Tips
Written By Lauren Wessel
 

Image by Kate Cullen
Edited with Light & Legacy

Photographers are always looking back on the Golden Age of film photography. After all, many of us started our creative journey in a black and white photo darkroom or by experimenting with disposable film cameras. Even today, many photographers still shoot film, whether for client work or for the pure joy of creating something tangible and timeless.

There’s nothing quite like the unpredictability, colors, and tactile nature of real film. Digital photos don’t always have that same diffused detail, soft grain, and nostalgic tonality that film scans and prints offer. That said, between Archipelago Quest and Archipelago Presets, we’ve come remarkably close to recreating that magic with digital tools, capturing the warmth, depth, and playfulness that define classic film looks.

In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite film look Lightroom presets and editing techniques to help you achieve the charm of vintage film photography—no darkroom required. Whether you’re after rich, cinematic tones or the soft glow of analog color, these tips will bring that timeless film aesthetic to your digital images.

Image by Sherri Poirier
Edited with Marigold Presets

What is the filmic look?

Filmic photo editing is the process of digitally editing photos to replicate the look and feel of traditional film photography, often using film emulation Lightroom presets. The filmic style is inspired by actual film stocks, the physical film used in analog cameras, each of which has unique color tones, grain, contrast, and dynamic range characteristics.

Key Elements:

  • Color Rendering: Film stocks often have distinct color palettes. For example, Kodak Portra is known for warm skin tones and soft contrast, while Fujifilm stocks lean cooler and more vibrant.

  • Dynamic Range & Contrast: Film tends to have a softer, more organic contrast curve than digital, preserving more detail in highlights and shadows.

  • Grain: Unlike digital noise, film grain is often embraced for its aesthetic texture, adding a tactile, analog quality.

  • Halation & Bloom: Certain film stocks create glowing highlights or soft bloom effects, especially in high-contrast lighting.

  • Faded or Matte Look: Many film-inspired edits introduce subtle fades in the blacks or highlights to emulate the tonal roll-off of film.

Image by Kate Paterson Photography
Edited with Light & Legacy

Why the Film Look Is Popular Amongst Photographers

The filmic photography style is timeless and popular because it draws from the visual language of photography and cinema that we’ve been surrounded by for generations. From family photo albums to classic movies, this aesthetic feels instantly familiar and emotionally resonant. It embraces the soft contrast, organic grain, and tonal richness of analog film, giving digital photos a sense of history and artistry that never goes out of style.

This style is especially beloved in storytelling genres like weddings, lifestyle photo sessions, documentary work, and cinematic portraits, where emotion and narrative take center stage. The filmic approach doesn’t just show what something looked like; it conveys what it felt like in the moment. It transforms images into visual memories rather than straightforward records.

At its core, the filmic style prioritizes mood, tone, and nostalgia to deepen the emotional impact of an image. Warm tones, gentle highlights, and slightly muted colors work together to create a sense of intimacy and timelessness. By embracing imperfection and subtle texture, filmic editing connects the viewer to the story, evoking both sentiment and atmosphere in a way that feels deeply human.

Classic Film Stocks and Their Characteristics

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold is a beloved film stock originally introduced in 1988, and a modern version was released in 2007 as Kodak Gold 200. If the colors remind you of your childhood photos from the 90’s, it’s because it was one of the most popular consumer-available and affordable films available in drugstores and supermarkets. Kodak Gold is known for its warm, golden tones, vibrant but natural color palette, and slight grain.

  • Aesthetic: Bright, vibrant, and sun-kissed, with bold yellows and reds, with warm undertones and fine grain.

  • Vibe: Perfect for nostalgic, everyday imagery. Think summer memories and road trips. Great for achieving that vintage, cheerful feel in daylight photos.

Tip: Archipelago Presets’ new Marigold Presets aims to replicate those gorgeous golden tones for digital photos.

Image by Heather K Purdy
Edited with Marigold Presets

Kodak Portra 400

Kodak Portra film, introduced in 1998, was designed for professional portrait and wedding photographers seeking natural, flattering skin tones and fine grain. Known for its soft contrast, warm hues, and excellent color accuracy, Portra quickly became a go-to for capturing timeless, true-to-life images. Its forgiving exposure latitude and smooth tonal transitions make it ideal for both film and digital emulation, inspiring countless film look Lightroom presets that aim to replicate its signature, romantic aesthetic.

  • Aesthetic: Warm, soft, and natural with true-to-life skin tones, gentle contrast, and creamy highlights

  • Vibe: Romantic and timeless, perfect for portraits and weddings. Ideal for those wanting a warm, golden, nostalgic tone without losing realism

Kodak Tri-X 400

Kodak Tri-X 400, first released in 1954, is one of the most iconic black-and-white film stocks ever made. Known for its distinctive grain, high contrast, and rich tonal range, it became a favorite among photojournalists and street photographers for its ability to capture emotion and atmosphere in any lighting condition. Its gritty yet timeless look continues to inspire modern digital edits that aim to emulate its bold, documentary-style character.

  • Aesthetic: Iconic black and white film with deep contrast, prominent grain, crisp shadows, and bold tonality

  • Vibe: Documentary and cinematic, often used in street and photojournalism work. Excellent for moody black-and-white images with texture and grit

Ilford HP5 and Delta 400

Ilford HP5 Plus and Ilford Delta 400 are two of the most beloved black-and-white film stocks from Ilford, each offering a unique take on classic monochrome photography. HP5 Plus is known for its high contrast, visible grain, and forgiving exposure latitude, making it a favorite for documentary, street, and portrait photographers who want that timeless, gritty look.

Delta 400, on the other hand, delivers a smoother grain structure and more refined tonal gradation, giving images a cleaner, more modern black-and-white feel while maintaining rich depth and character. Both are staples of traditional darkroom work and continue to influence digital black and white Lightroom presets designed to replicate their iconic tones and textures.

Image by Ador Photo
Edited with Light & Legacy

Fujifilm 400H

Fujifilm 400H is a beloved color negative film stock (now discontinued) that was especially popular among wedding and portrait photographers. It featured soft, pastel tones (especially in the greens, blues, and skin tones), airy color palette, neutral to cool color balance, and wide dynamic range. Characteristic of other Fuji film stocks, it leaned towards cooler, minty greens.

  • Aesthetic: Cool, pastel, and airy, soft greens, gentle skin tones, and a balanced color palette

  • Vibe: Editorial yet romantic, great for weddings, florals, and lifestyle photography. Perfect for photographers who prefer muted tones and elegant color balance

Fujifilm Superia 400

Fujifilm Superia 400 is a consumer-grade color negative film introduced in the 1990s, known for its vibrant colors, fine grain, and reliable versatility. It produces rich greens, deep blues, and warm skin tones, making it popular for everyday photography and travel photography. Designed for flexibility in various lighting conditions, Superia 400 delivers the distinct punchy, nostalgic look associated with classic Fujifilm color film.

  • Aesthetic: Rich and contrasty with vibrant greens and reds. Distinct Fuji color rendering, cool shadows, and lively saturation

  • Vibe: Nostalgic and bold, ideal for outdoor and travel photography. Great for achieving a punchy but classic film look


Image by Carlos Cordero
Edited with Marigold

How Presets Emulate Film in Lightroom

Lightroom Presets emulate film by replicating the distinctive color profiles, tonal curves, and grain structures of analog film stocks. Classic films like Kodak Portra or Fujifilm 400H each have signature traits like soft contrast, muted highlights, warm skin tones, or pastel hues that digital RAW files naturally lack. Film look Lightroom presets recreate these characteristics by adjusting elements like white balance, contrast, and hue shifts, giving digital images the organic imperfections and emotional resonance of film photography. Subtle touches like faded blacks, gentle highlight roll-off, and controlled saturation mimic the way film responds to light, creating depth and a tactile feel that digital edits alone often can’t replicate.

Beyond color and tone, presets often include ISO (or ASA) inspired grain and dynamic range adjustments that mirror film’s unique texture and exposure latitude. This helps produce a more cinematic, nostalgic mood that feels authentic and timeless.

Whether you’re going for the soft, creamy tones of Portra or the punchy contrast of Tri-X 400, film-style presets allow photographers to blend modern convenience with vintage charm, capturing that analog soul in a digital workflow.

Quick Tips to make your Lightroom edits more filmic:

  • Cool down and desaturate greens and yellows in the HSL panel in Color Mixer.

  • Add Grain in the Effects panel.

  • In the Basics panel, lower Contrast, Clarity, and Texture for the soft look of film.

  • In Color Grading, add a subtle green or blue hue to the shadows.

Top Lightroom Presets for the Film look

Final Thoughts on Film-Inspired Editing

Film-inspired editing is about more than just mimicking a look; it’s about capturing a feeling. By blending the nostalgic tones, textures, and imperfections of analog photography with the precision and flexibility of digital tools, photographers can create images that feel both timeless and expressive. Whether you’re chasing the warmth of Kodak Portra or the grit of Tri-X, film-style editing reminds us that emotion and storytelling will always outshine technical perfection.

Image by Michael Schultz
Edited with Quest 06 Emulsion

Frequently Asked Questions About Film-Inspired Photo Editing

  • Film-inspired photo editing is the process of recreating the timeless look of analog film photography using digital tools like Lightroom presets. These edits emulate the colors, tones, and textures of classic film stocks such as Kodak Portra, Fujifilm 400H, and Kodak Tri-X to bring warmth, softness, and nostalgic character to digital photos.

  • Lightroom presets emulate film by mimicking each stock’s signature characteristics—like color palettes, contrast, and grain. For example, a Portra-style preset enhances warm skin tones and gentle contrast, while a Fuji-inspired preset leans toward cooler greens and pastel hues. These adjustments replicate the organic depth and mood of real film photography.

  • Some of the most popular film-look Lightroom presets include:

  • The film look feels authentic, emotional, and nostalgic. It softens digital precision, creating a timeless quality that enhances storytelling. Many photographers use it for weddings, lifestyle sessions, and portraits because it evokes the emotion and artistry of real film photography.

  • To achieve a filmic aesthetic in Lightroom:

    • Apply a film emulation preset

    • Lower contrast and clarity for softness

    • Add subtle grain in the Effects panel

    • Fade blacks slightly for that matte film feel

    • Adjust color grading by cooling shadows and warming midtones

  • Some of the most beloved film stocks recreated in Lightroom include:

    • Kodak Portra 400 – warm, natural tones for portraits and weddings

    • Kodak Gold 200 – nostalgic vibrance and golden warmth

    • Fujifilm 400H – airy pastel tones and cool greens

    • Kodak Tri-X 400 – iconic black and white contrast and grain

    • Ilford HP5 & Delta 400 – classic monochrome depth with rich tonal range

 
 
Lauren Wessel
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