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Perfecting Film Grain in Lightroom: Tips for a Film-Inspired Look with Presets

Updated: Nov 23

Grain is the signature touch that gives classic film photography its charm, adding a textured, organic feel that enhances the emotion of any image. My film presets, available in the Modular Preset Pack, come with built-in grain settings crafted to replicate the subtle imperfections of traditional film stock. While these presets provide a ready-to-use film-inspired aesthetic, this blog will help you take control of grain adjustments, allowing you to fine-tune the specific look you're aiming for.


Learning how to customize grain in Lightroom can add a personal touch to your edits.




Blog post graphic titled 'Perfecting Grain in Lightroom' with a soft, vintage-style photo featuring subtle grain and muted tones. Highlights tips for customizing grain settings and achieving a film-inspired look using Lightroom, ideal for creators exploring film Lightroom presets


What Is Film Grain and Why Does It Matter?


Film grain is the visible texture in photographs shot on analog film. It’s created by light-sensitive silver halide crystals in film stock, giving each image a unique, imperfect charm. This look can be replicated in Adobe Lightroom. Which we will talk more about later. Right now let's focus on the reason we are adding grain in the first place.


Adding grain to a photo might seem counterintuitive, especially since digital photography has worked so hard to eliminate it. Some might argue that grain is a flaw, a sign of a poorly shot image. But when we add grain, it’s not about making a photo look "bad"—it’s about recreating the charm and texture of classic film photography. Grain gives photos depth, character, and that nostalgic feel that digital perfection often lacks. By embracing grain, we’re intentionally bringing the artistry of film back into our edits.




Adding grain in Lightroom can:


  • Create Depth: Grain adds a sense of dimension to otherwise flat digital images.


  • Mimic Nostalgia: It replicates the authentic feel of old-school film photography.


  • Enhance Mood: The right amount of grain can make photos feel cinematic and emotive.


When paired with film Lightroom presets, grain completes the vintage aesthetic by adding texture and character.


Crafted to replicate the essence of authentic film, these presets give your photos a cinematic touch, evoking the charm of a romantic movie. My Modular Preset Pack features three film-inspired Lightroom presets, thoughtfully designed to deliver an authentic film aesthetic with a single click.





How To: Achieve A Soft and Creamy Grain Look


 


How to Add Grain in Lightroom for a Film-Inspired Look


Adding grain in Lightroom is simple and fully customizable, making it easy to tailor the effect to match your creative vision. By adjusting the grain settings—such as amount, size, and roughness—you can recreate the texture and depth of classic film photography. Whether you’re using film Lightroom presets for a subtle vintage touch or a bold cinematic look, Lightroom’s grain tools allow you to refine your edits and bring an authentic film-inspired aesthetic to life.


Here’s how to do it:


  1. Go to the Effects Panel: Open your photo in Lightroom and navigate to the Effects section.



How to Add Grain in Lightroom for a Film-Inspired Look


  1. Adjust Grain Settings:


    • Amount: Set between 15–35 for subtle, visible grain. Increase if you want a stronger effect for dramatic edits.


    • Size: Choose 25–30 for medium-sized grain that mimics 35mm film. Reduce for finer grain or increase for bolder, coarser textures.


    • Roughness: Keep it around 50–60 for a natural, slightly uneven texture, emulating the imperfections of real film.


  2. Preview Your Edits: Zoom in on your photo to ensure the grain looks organic and complements the overall mood.


  3. Save Your Custom Preset: If you’re happy with the result, save the settings as a custom preset to apply them to future edits.



 


Understanding Grain Settings in Lightroom: Amount, Size, and Roughness


Grain settings in Lightroom are powerful tools that let you mimic the texture and charm of traditional film photography. By adjusting Amount, Size, and Roughness, you can achieve a wide range of effects, from subtle vintage vibes to bold, dramatic edits. Let’s break down each setting in detail and explore how you can use them creatively.




Grain and black-and-white photography go hand in hand, creating a timeless, emotive aesthetic that feels straight out of the darkroom. The texture of grain adds depth and drama to monochrome edits, making them even more powerful. With my Black and White Preset Pack, you can easily achieve this classic look while customizing the grain to fit your style. Whether you want a bold, high-contrast vibe or a soft, vintage feel, these presets make it simple to bring your vision to life.




Amount: Controlling the Intensity of Grain


The Amount slider determines how much grain is applied to your photo. This setting affects the overall visibility of the grain across the image.


  • Low Amount (15–20): Creates a soft, barely-there grain effect. Perfect for clean, polished edits where you want a hint of texture without overwhelming the image. Ideal for portraits or minimalist photos.


  • Moderate Amount (25–35): Adds a balanced texture that’s noticeable but not overpowering. This is great for achieving a classic 35mm film look in lifestyle or travel photography.


  • High Amount (40+): Makes grain a prominent feature in your image. Use this for dramatic, artistic edits where texture is a key part of the story, such as black-and-white photos or bold cinematic shots.



Creative Tip: Use a high amount of grain on dark, moody edits to emphasize grit and drama. For softer, romantic photos, stick to lower levels for a subtle enhancement. Check out my gritty film Lightroom finisher, available in The Jaide & Jett Modular Preset Pack.



Edited with Jaide & Jett Presets Modular Pack



Size: Adjusting the Grain’s Texture


The Size slider controls the physical size of the grain particles. Larger sizes produce a coarser texture, while smaller sizes create finer, more delicate grain.


  • Small Size (10–20): Results in fine, subtle grain that adds elegance to your photo. Perfect for portraits or soft, vintage-style edits.


  • Medium Size (25–30): Mimics the texture of classic 35mm film, offering a balanced grain that works well across various styles.


  • Large Size (30+): Produces bold, coarse grain that feels raw and gritty. Best for dramatic edits or when mimicking older, low-quality film stocks.


Creative Tip: Combine a small grain size with a low amount for a refined, understated texture. For an aged, gritty look, pair a high amount with a large size.



 


Join Us On Facebook!

If you're a photographer looking to connect with like-minded creatives, learn advanced Lightroom tips, and share your edits, be sure to join my Facebook group, Jaide & Jett Presets! It’s a welcoming space for photographers of all levels to discuss editing techniques, showcase their work, and ask questions about presets and workflows. I’m in the group daily, offering advice and sharing exclusive tips to help you get the most out of your presets, like my Black and White Preset Pack or my film-inspired collections. Come join the conversation—we’d love to see you there!




 


Roughness: Adding Authenticity to the Grain


The Roughness slider controls the randomness and unevenness of the grain texture. Higher roughness makes the grain appear more chaotic and organic, while lower roughness creates a smoother, more uniform texture.


  • Low Roughness (30–40): Gives the grain a clean and polished appearance. Use this for modern film-inspired edits or minimalistic styles.


  • Moderate Roughness (50–60): Strikes a balance between smooth and random textures. This setting is ideal for achieving a natural, authentic film look.


  • High Roughness (70–100): Creates an uneven, raw texture that feels bold and imperfect. Perfect for recreating the aesthetic of older film stocks or experimental edits.


Creative Tip: Use high roughness on black-and-white photos to enhance the raw, vintage vibe. For more polished images, keep roughness low to maintain a clean look.



 


How Grain Works with Film Lightroom Presets


When you use film Lightroom presets, grain is often included as part of the preset's design. These presets apply a combination of tone, color, and texture adjustments to mimic specific film styles. Grain settings in Jaide & Jett’s film Lightroom presets are carefully calibrated to:


  • Add realistic texture without overwhelming the photo.

  • Complement soft, muted tones and vintage highlights.

  • Work seamlessly with both Lightroom Desktop and Mobile.



Film-Inspired Grain Settings for Different Styles


Different photography styles call for unique grain settings to achieve the perfect film-inspired look. Here are a few recommendations:


  1. Subtle Vintage Look:

    • Amount: 15–20

    • Size: 20–25

    • Roughness: 40–50


      Perfect for wedding photos and soft portraits.


  2. Bold Cinematic Aesthetic:

    • Amount: 30–40

    • Size: 25–30

    • Roughness: 60–70


      Ideal for travel, lifestyle, and dramatic landscapes.


  3. True-to-Film Texture:

    • Amount: 25–30

    • Size: 20–30

    • Roughness: 50–60


      Great for emulating classic 35mm or medium-format film.



 


Tips for Using Grain Effectively


To make the most of grain in your edits, keep these tips in mind:


Start Small- Less is more with grain. Begin with a subtle amount and build it up gradually until it complements your photo's style. Overdoing it can make the image feel overly processed.


Consider the Mood- Match the grain intensity to the emotion or story you want to convey. For soft, nostalgic photos, use lighter grain with finer texture. For dramatic, gritty edits, opt for larger, more visible grain.


Check Zoom Levels-Grain looks different at various zoom levels. Always preview your edits at 100% to ensure the texture appears natural and doesn’t distract from the overall composition.


Incorporate the Luminance Slider - To achieve a soft, creamy look while still keeping visible grain, you can use the Luminance, Detail, and Contrast sliders within the Noise Reduction panel in Lightroom. Here's how to balance these settings effectively:



How To: Achieve A Soft and Creamy Grain Look




 


FAQs About Grain and Film Lightroom Presets


  1. Why is grain important in film Lightroom presets?Grain adds texture and depth, creating a vintage, film-inspired look that’s essential for achieving authenticity in your edits.


  2. What are the best grain settings for a film-inspired look?For a balanced effect, use Grain Amount: 20–35, Size: 25–30, and Roughness: 50–60. Adjust based on your style.


  3. Can I use grain with Lightroom Mobile?Yes, the grain settings included in Jaide & Jett film Lightroom presets work seamlessly on Lightroom Mobile, giving you the same professional results on the go.


  4. Does grain affect photo quality?Grain is purely an aesthetic adjustment in Lightroom and doesn’t reduce image resolution or quality. It enhances texture to create a more organic feel.





 


Conclusion: Add Character to Your Photos with Film-Inspired Grain


Grain is a powerful tool for bringing authenticity and emotion to your edits. Whether you’re creating a subtle vintage vibe or a bold cinematic look, understanding how to use grain effectively can transform your photos. By combining grain with Jaide & Jett’s film Lightroom presets, you can achieve stunning, professional-quality results that capture the essence of classic film photography. Ready to add timeless texture to your photos? Explore our collection today and start creating unforgettable edits.

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