[orangepeel]

Using Photoshop to add film grain to digital images.
For all you monoists out there, this is a nice 'n simple method of adding film grain to your images in a non-destructive manner.

Those that can't be bothered to follow the tutorial, I've created an action linked at the end of this tutorial.


Step 1
Create a new layer above your image. You might as well name it too. Also, if you like, you can set the Blend Mode to Overlay. This will let you preview the effects of steps 4 & 5.




Step 2
Fill the layer with 50% grey. The easiest way is to press shift+backspace and the following dialogue is shown.

Make sure the Contents drop down is set to 50% Grey

Alternatively you can simply fill the layer with the paint bucket and a colour sent to 50% grey.

Step 3
Add noise to the layer. Filter | Noise | Add Noise

Set the amount to 400% and Distribution to Uniform


Step 4
The noise looks a bit digital so we need to blur it. Filter | Blur | Gaussian Blur

Choose a value you like. If you set the Blend Mode of the layer to Overlay in step 1 then you should be able to see the effect of the blurring.
Around 1.7 pixels seems to do it for me.

Step 5
If you haven't done so in step 1, set the blend mode of the film grain layer to Overlay.
It's likely the grain effect is rather strong, use the Opacity slider to lower the amount of effect.



Thats it! Simple or what.

Before:



After:


Photoshop Action
Film Grain.atn
The action will ask you the amount of blur to add. It'll also set the layer opacity to 35%, adjust this as you see fit once it's finished running.





Good luck, have fun,
peel.

[j sotelo]

good one Peel I'll keep it in mind

[JMitchell]

Someone been reading DC mag?

[orangepeel]

no

[JMitchell]

Well there's that exact tip in the April edition , suggested for mono etc. etc. Oddly coincidental timing then

[j sotelo]

Let me tell you that even if it was in the Mag Some of us over here have a hard time getting UK mags so Thanks again Peel.

[Steve]

Same goes for us German residents too.