VSCO Film, This stuff is fierce. For the past 4-5 years I’ve been trying to lock down a look in photoshop that would give me a natural film look. I started shooting film when I first picked up a camera more than 10 years ago. When I converted to digital photography in 2005 I was really unhappy with how (I guess for a lack of a better way of saying it) digital my images looked, glossy, too polished and lacking soul.
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I’ve seen gimmicks come and go with photo actions and presets. I’ve always wanted to keep my images true and let the clothing, hairstyles and overall aesthetic of the people and places I shoot date my images, not my post production work. VSCO Film has answered my call.
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If you’re interested. I used Tri-X++ & Portra 800 to process the above images.
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You can pick up your VSCO Film Pack here at a discount for a limited time. I recommend it.
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SF
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Edited to add.
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Before & Afters. Before images first, afters second.
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Not exactly one-click & done but really close & super fast processing. Black & Whites are either Tri-X++ or HP5+. Additional tweaks are from the tool kit. Faded+, & fill light. Remember to try the blacks slider too for some additional punch. I’ve pretty much got my B&W’s dialed in exactly how I like.
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The color frames are 400H, Portra 800 or Portra 160. As a general rule I’ve been keeping the grain at 30 & using faded+ on everything.
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Super fast processing. VSCO Film.
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I’ll try my best to keep a discussing going in the comments box here.
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Happy processing.
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SF
by Isabelle Paille
secret revealed!!! Thanks! :)
by Mike F
Definitely have to get this! Love the look!
by Chloe
Bloody hell! You take some incredible photos.
by Sara K Byrne
now they need to work on the SF photog pack that packs your knowledge/ideas into my camera.
by Rico
still think you are the genius behind these amazing photos. no preset set gives you the sean brain.
by Keaton
The one with the skull is amazing. I’m also lovin’ the last one as well. :)
by Tim Gosnell
Thanks for sharing Sean!
by rog
bwoumph my friend. bwoumph.
by Emanuel Rudnicki
Amazing set of photos! Must.Get.Presets….
by Chatti
I am sure I will like you photograph even without the presets. You’re amazing. PS ever down in California to do shoots?
by hili
why not post some before and after , maybe say something about how it works ?
by tardy
wow. love these. before and afters would be sweet
by Alex
Great on it! Couldn’t agree more with the post. :-)
by Amanda Basteen
Beautiful. Love the shot of the bride on the bed and the one that the bride’s reflection is in the photo. They’re gorgeous!
by paul sargeant
got mine!! thanks SF !
by MARTIEN
i like #6, #7, #8
How do you combine the preset to get like no 7 and 8? thats so film
I just bought this preset and have trouble getting the look like you did. awesome really.
by Sean Flanigan
@ martien. use the faded + after you apply your film stock.
by Alex
:-)
by martien
wow. thanks a lot. thats real nice
by Jenifer McCash
you are the reason i bought these the day they came out. not to replicate your look but to advance mine. thanks bunches, I officially can edit a wedding and not curse at lightroom the whole time. true story.
by Chelsea Parsons
very cool…. I love film
by Joshua Gull
Loving VSCO so far myself Sean. Your edits look really nice (of course with work like yours nearly any editing would look nice). Are you finding that the 400H, Portra 160 and Portra 800 presets with Faded+ added are getting you the look you want or are you having to do additional tweaking?
by Kevan W
Do you use LR or ACR with VSCO?
by caleb
love it.
by rich
I drank the koolaid a couple days ago and I’m impressed it’s not just koolaid. I’m editing our first wedding with it and ASE3 is done, sir, done. It’s fun to grind out an edit again, which is hasn’t been for a long time.
by Holley
I love love love the presets and thank you for adding before and afters! It really is very kind of you to share like that. Quick question, what do you mean by, “keeping the grain at 30″? Thanks for any input!
by Antonis Georgiadis
Greetings Sean!
Have you noticed that these presets work better with slightly underexposed photos? In my calibrated monitor, it seems to be the case…
by wecanclick
Hi Sean!! Love the look of your pics and I wonder if you use just VscoF or if you do something else. Could you please give me some tip about them? Keep doing your magic.
Warm regards from Sp ;)
by Sean Flanigan
@ antonis. I haven’t noticed that at all…
@ wecanclick. I’m doing 99 percent VSCO FILM for all of my edits now.
@ holley. the grain amount set to 30.
@ kevin. both, I love it with ACR.
@ hili. I did. see above.
@ chatti. i was in cali 7 times last year for work.
I’ll do my best to stay up and answer any questions you may have on the VSCO FILM.
by Eric
Love your images! It’s beyond just the processing, you’ve got a great eye. But, since this is about your process…. Are you adding back in a lot of Blacks when you apply the Faded + ? Every time I add it, it seems to mute the photo more than I would like.
by Kristine
As so many have said before, your work is truly stunning – with or without presets applied. Thank you so much for sharing this post!
Quick question regarding sharpening – do you sharpen your images at all when exporting for use on the web or print? Thanks in advance – I seriously LOVE your work.
by sean flanigan
@eric. i am using the faded tools on all photos. if you don’t like the amount of the fade you can change it in curves to be less intense.
@kristine. i only sharpen for web images. my blog or portfolio.
thanks,
sean
by Tuomas Mikkonen
Big fan of your work! Thanks so much for sharing these tips about VSCO Film! I was having a hard time to get what I wanted with VSCO at first, but now it’s getting much better!
by Linda
Beautiful work Sean, your images/work are a great ambassador for VSCO. I have recently purchased the presets only to be slightly disappointed with not recreating the film look I had hoped. Like others my images don’t resemble the innate film quality yours do and it kinda makes me a little sad I cannot work this out.
I work in Lightroom and my work flow is to set white balance and exposure correctly, then apply film preset and move blacks up and adjust fill. Just wondering what order you go though to edit an image? Do you also turn your toning to none??
Thanks so much for your time,
L
by Harry Who
Thank you for the tip and love your work. Definitely going to check out VSCO.
by Nate
Just purchased the ACR6 pack. Soo excited for this! I feel the same way as you. I finally have found my look and match with processing. Do you only use the presets that are made for Canon? I noticed my presets include Canon, Nikon and Standard. Are there any difference in these? I shoot with Nikon.. PS you’re work is stunning!
by Eleonora
Which kind of vsco film do you often use for color images?
Thank you very much for your time Sean.
by Bernie Dickson
thank you! I taught photography for a bit to high schoolers and they were blown away by film-it was fun to spread the love. Film is my true passion, and since I have switched to digital(about 3 years ago, I know, I am late to the party) I have not been able to find the film look. Thanks for sharing, I swear you have changed my life, thanks!
by Phillip Gao
Amazing shots. I’m currently going for a natural look, but you have given me second thoughts.
by Manvin
wow & simply amazing photographs. Many thanks for the tips regarding VSCO Film but there is one question i’d like to ask you:
can you please explain how did you managed to get the colour slightly mute or dull? which pre-set is it?
http://seanflanigan.net/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/vsco_film_before_after1012.jpg
Many thank in advance.
by glenn stephenson
by Max Holtz
Are you only using Film Pack 01 for LR4? I am using LR3 and debating on whether to upgrade and then just get the VSCO film pack 02.
Thanks man.
by Elaine
Really nice! Thank you for sharing this! You still have to nail the shot, and you have here!
by M
What do you mean by “Additional tweaks are from the tool kit”?