Film photography has a timeless quality that digital images often lack. The colors are rich yet natural, skin tones are soft and flattering, and the overall aesthetic feels authentic. However, shooting film can be expensive and time-consuming. That’s where film presets for Lightroom come in—they allow you to recreate the classic film look while maintaining the flexibility of digital photography.

1. Start with a Well-Exposed RAW Image

Before applying presets, ensure your photo is properly exposed. Film has a distinct way of handling highlights and shadows, so working with a balanced image will give you the best results.

2. Choose the Right Film-Inspired Preset

Different film stocks have unique characteristics. REFINED Co offers a variety of Lightroom film presets designed to mimic the most iconic film looks:

• REFINED I – Inspired by Fuji 400H, with soft cyan shadows and dreamy pastels.

• REFINED III – Emulates Fuji 400H and Portra 400, offering deep cyan greens and warm skin tones.

• REFINED x Tec Petaja – Reflects Kodak’s color palette with rich oranges, magentas, and even skin tones.

• REFINED x KT Merry – Editorial-inspired presets that create painterly, luminous edits.

• REFINED x Caroline Tran – Designed for hybrid photographers looking for a cohesive, film-like look across lighting conditions.

• REFINED Kodak Gold – Captures the warm, nostalgic tones of Kodak Gold film.
• REFINED Kodak Ektar – Delivers bold, saturated colors and fine grain, perfect for landscapes and vibrant scenes.

3. Adjust White Balance and Exposure

Once you’ve applied a preset, fine-tune the white balance to match the lighting conditions of your photo. Adjust exposure, highlights, and shadows to ensure your image has the right balance of contrast and depth.

4. Refine the Tones and Colors

Film images typically have muted highlights and rich shadows.

• Lift the blacks slightly to add a faded film effect.

• Soften the highlights to mimic the gentle roll-off of film.

• Enhance greens and blues if you’re aiming for a Fuji look or boost warmth for a Kodak-inspired image.

5. Add Grain for Authenticity

Film has a natural grain structure that digital images lack. To make your edit feel more authentic, use the Grain tool in Lightroom:

• Kodak Ektar has fine, subtle grain.

• Kodak Gold has a more pronounced, nostalgic grain.

• Ilford HP5 400 and Delta 3200 (in Tec Petaja’s collection) have classic black-and-white film grain.

Adjust the size and intensity of the grain to match the aesthetic you’re going for.

6. Final Touches and Export

Once you’re happy with your edit, make any last cropping or sharpening adjustments and export your file. Film photos often look best with slightly softened edges , so avoid over-sharpening.

1. What are film presets?

Film presets are pre-configured settings in Lightroom designed to replicate the colors, contrast, and tones of traditional film stocks.

2. How do I make my digital photos look like film?

Use Lightroom film presets like those from REFINED Co. , adjust white balance, tweak tones with the Tone Curve , and add grain for an authentic effect.

3. Which film preset is best for wedding photography?

The REFINED x KT Merry and REFINED III collections are perfect for wedding photographers , offering luminous skin tones and a timeless film aesthetic.

4. What's the difference between REFINED Co's film presets?

Each collection is designed to emulate a specific film stock:

• REFINED I – Soft Fuji 400H pastels

• REFINED III – Deep greens, warm skin tones (Fuji 400H & Portra 400)

• Kodak Gold – Warm, nostalgic tones

• Kodak Ektar – Bold, vibrant colors

• Tec Petaja – Rich Kodak-inspired hues

• KT Merry – Editorial, painterly aesthetics

• Caroline Tran – Hybrid film and digital consistency

5. Do REFINED Co. presets work on Lightroom Mobile?

Yes! All REFINED Co. film presets are compatible with Lightroom Mobile , making it easy to edit on the go.

6. Can I use REFINED Co film presets in Capture One?

Yes! Many REFINED Co presets are available for both Lightroom and Capture One, ensuring flexibility in your editing workflow. However, our Lightroom presets cannot be installed into Capture One due to the softwares differences. You must purchase our Capture One presets for the software.

Editing your photos to look like film in Lightroom is all about using the right presets, fine-tuning tones, and adding subtle grain. With REFINED Co’s film presets, you can achieve beautiful, film-inspired edits effortlessly, whether you’re shooting portraits, weddings, or landscapes. Try different presets, experiment with adjustments, and bring the timeless beauty of film to your digital photography!