Image Retro Filter
Recreate the punchy, color shifted look of cross processed film from the 70s and 80s. The retro filter applies a steep S-curve to red that crushes shadows and highlights, a gentler curve to green, and compresses blue into a narrow band, so highlights turn yellow, shadows turn blue and contrast gets bold. Use the intensity setting to dial the effect from subtle to full.
Frequently asked questions
What does the retro filter change?
It applies a separate tone curve to each channel. Red gets a strong S-curve that pushes darks darker and lights lighter, green a moderate S-curve with a slight lift, and blue is compressed to roughly 56 to 204. The mismatch between the channels creates the yellow highlights and blue shadows of cross processed film.
What is cross processing?
Cross processing means developing film in chemicals meant for another film type, which produced high contrast and strong color shifts. It became a signature look of lomography and 80s and 90s fashion photos. This filter simulates it digitally.
What does crushed tones mean?
Crushed tones are shadows and highlights that are compressed toward black and white, losing some detail in exchange for punch. The steep red curve does this, which is why the result looks bold and graphic.
How is it different from the faded or vintage filters?
Faded and vintage lower contrast and soften colors. Retro does the opposite, raising contrast and adding a strong yellow and blue cast. It is the most saturated and dramatic of the presets.
How does the intensity setting work?
The retro result is blended with the original from 0 to 100 percent. Lower values keep more natural skin tones while still adding some cross processed character.
Which photos suit the retro look?
Street photography, summer scenes, skateboarding, music and fashion shots with bright light work well. Portraits can look striking at lower intensity.
Is transparency kept?
Yes, the alpha channel is unchanged. Grayscale images are converted to RGB so the color shift appears.
Which formats can I upload?
Upload JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, TIFF or AVIF images up to 5 MB. Animated files use their first frame and images larger than 4000 pixels on a side are scaled down to fit. The result is PNG.
Can I combine it with other effects?
Yes, a vignette from the Image Vignette tool and a little grain from the Image Grain tool complete the lomography look. Apply the vignette last so the dark corners keep the retro colors.
What engine is used?
The three tone curves are applied with lookup tables per channel in the tool itself. The process is deterministic, so results are identical every time.