Seven looks, and what each one actually does to a photo
A film look is not a colour filter. Each of these reproduces the specific flaws of a specific camera: the flash falloff of a single-use camera, the over-sharpening of a 2004 compact, the milky blacks of instant film. Here is what each does and when to shoot it.
Disposable camera filter
What makes a disposable photo look real: flash falloff, orange date stamp, dark corners and coarse grain. The settings and the apps that get it right.
Y2K digicam filter
Make iPhone photos look like a 2004 point-and-shoot: over-sharpening, blown flash, JPEG artefacts and CCD bloom. Settings, habits and the best apps.
Polaroid instant filter
Get a real instant-film look on iPhone: milky blacks, low contrast and a warm shift. Why the tonal work matters more than the white border.
35mm film filter
What makes a photo look like 35mm film: fine grain, halation around highlights and warm shadows. The settings and the apps that model it properly.
Super 8 video filter
Make iPhone video look like Super 8: 18fps, gate weave, flicker and faded colour. What to set, how to shoot it and which apps handle video.
CCD flash filter
The CCD flash look explained: blown direct flash, glossy skin, vertical bloom on lights and a black background. How to shoot it on iPhone.
VHS video filter
What really makes video look like VHS: chroma bleed, interlacing and tracking noise. How to shoot it and which apps model tape, not just lines.