How to make photos look vintage on your smartphone

In today's digital era, where photography and video dominate, there’s an undeniable allure to capturing images with a vintage aesthetic. Many of us find ourselves longing for the nostalgic charm of disposable cameras or the retro vibe they exude.
Whilst disposable cameras provide that instant vintage and retro feel, thankfully, you can now recreate it directly on your smartphone without developing film.
Whether you’re seeking nostalgia or want to infuse your phone snaps with a touch of timeless elegance, this guide will show you how to make photos look vintage in the palm of your hand.
How to make photos look vintage, at a glance:
1 - What makes a photo look vintage?
2 - 5 tips to make photos look vintage
3 - How do I make my phone pictures look vintage quickly?
4 - How do you make your pictures look like the 2000s?
5 - How can I change my picture to look 90s?
6 - How do I make my pictures look like a disposable camera?
When the word “vintage” comes to mind, it’s very easy to think of those super old photographs. You know the ones, those “daguerreotype” ones with important figures all in black or white, or an old family photo from generations back in a sepia tone. However, vintage photos encompass a variety of different styles and shooting modes, such as:
- Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras
- Point-and-shoot disposable cameras
- 35mm
- 120mm (medium format)
- Polaroids
- Pinhole cameras
- …and much more
In today’s world, it’s far more convenient to use photo editing apps to achieve a vintage look to your smartphone photos. As such, these effects have gained popularity because of the nostalgic atmosphere and timeless aesthetic they bring to photographs, without the need to develop film (though some may argue that this is fun and nostalgic process).
So what characteristics make a vintage photo?
1. The colour palette


Vintage photos have their own unique colour palettes Think muted or faded tones, giving a touch of nostalgia. Colours might appear a tad desaturated or have that cosy, warm sepia-like tint. This is especially true for photos much earlier on from the 1800s through to early-mid 1900s. As you look at photographs past the 1950s, colour became far more prominent in film photography, and this is where we see colder tones grace those images.
2. Grain, noise, dust and scratches


Film grain and noise was the result of textural imperfections, but some may agree that it adds to the charm. If in doubt, working noise into your smartphone photos is bound to turn up the vintage factor by a drastic amount.
Scratches, dust, and faded edges are also prominent in vintage photos too for the same reason. They add character to modern-day editing techniques and can really help you tell a story through your images.
3. Vignetting


Vignetting is a technique used to add a “natural” border to an image which can appear either under or over exposed, depending on the desired effect. It adds a touch of artistic flair and really draws the viewer to the main subject.
4. Softness


Sometimes, vintage photos sport a dreamy, nostalgic touch with a soft focus or gentle blur. It's like stepping into a bygone era, evoking those warm fuzzy feelings.
5 tips on how to make your photos look vintage
Vintage filters and careful editing techniques on your phone can completely transform a standard smartphone picture, from their mood to their overall message. It’s important to take the time to explore different options and find a style that best suits your creative vision. If you're aiming to recreate a vintage feel in your photos, the following tips can help you achieve that desired look.
1. Frame your subject


When aiming for a vintage aesthetic in your smartphone photos, you should frame with care, and show particular attention on your subject and composition.
But what’s the best way to do this? We recommend seeking out scenes that encapsulate a classic, timeless essence. Whether it's capturing picturesque landscapes, vintage-inspired fashion, or the charm of rustic architecture - these elements can add a nostalgic touch to your images. Alternatively, if you want to go for that candid Polaroid vibe, then you can bring it back to basics with a harsh flash and a background of your choosing - but keep your subjects relatively close so they’re illuminated by the flash trigger.
Don’t forget to switch up your angles and perspectives so you can work through a gallery of photos to convert into a vintage-style edit.
2. Try out apps to make photos look vintage


Apps to make photos look vintage are going to be your first point of call. There are many vintage film editing apps out there, but here are a few of our many recommendations to get you started.
VSCO
VSCO rings a bell for many, as it’s well known for vintage-inspired filters. It has a range of presets you can choose and customise, such as the intensity of the filter, alongside fine-tuning elements to really bring out specific features that capture your eye.
HUJI Cam
If you want to go for that full-on retro vibe, then look no further. HUJI Cam’s interface is literally inspired by your typical 90s disposable camera to really add that genuine vintage feel to your smartphone photos (and photo-taking experience).
It also has the option to add film-like effects such as light leaks, date stamps, and other elements typically found in film photography after you’ve taken your photo - something that’s quite hard to replicate in traditional film photography!
Snapseed
Snapseed is an incredibly powerful editing tool which has its own “vintage” filter, and various other tools that allow you to come up with your own vintage preset too. Plus, its "Selective Adjust" tool lets you apply edits to specific areas of a photo, which is useful if you want to bring out certain features over others.
Dazz Cam
Want something similar to HUJI but on a broader scale? Dazz Cam lets you select a variety of “vintage” cameras from their app, depending on the style of photo you wish to capture. From Lomo to polaroids, you can truly capture that vintage photo you’ve sought after.
Already have a photo you wish to edit? Upload it to the app with your desired vintage camera filter, and it will grade it in that style for you!
3. Enhance your photos even further


Adjust brightness and contrast
Using a curves tool on a photo editing app, or the sliders for brightness and contrast, can really help add a vintage feel to your photos without adding complicated filters. Be sure to keep the photos exposed enough that they’re not blown out, but muted enough to still be visible. You may even wish to keep your contrast low for that faded look, or really bring out the shadows for something a little more 90s.
Add a vignette
Vignetting happens when the lens doesn't quite focus throughout an entire image, leaving the edges of the photo a bit underexposed. However, some actually use this effect on purpose! Why? Because it adds a lovely natural frame and makes the subject in the centre of the photo pop. It’s so popular, that most editing tools out there already have filters and adjustment tools just for vignetting. So, if you want to give it a try, you can create a vignette by gently darkening the edges of your image whilst keeping the subject nice and bright.
Add noise
Transform your photo into a delightful vintage masterpiece by jazzing it up with a touch of visual noise. You’ll notice noise is ever present in vintage photographs, so it’s definitely a feature you should consider adding, as even a smidge of noise can transport your image back in time, giving it that authentic vintage vibe.
4. Make your photos black and white


If all else fails, making your photos black and white can dramatically change your photograph and date it back to those good ol’ days. After all, colour prints only become available some time in the 50s, so if you’re after an easy edit, apply a black and white filter to your image, or tone down your image’s saturation entirely.
5. Mix and match vintage film styles


Like two or more effects? Why not have a go at making your own vintage filter for your smartphone photos by layering the filters, colours and effects on one another? By doing this, you can create your very own preset to use time and time again. You could even take it a step further and layer another image for a double-exposure effect - a popular effect at the peak of film photography!


To quickly give your smartphone pictures a vintage look, simply add some noise or grain with a few scratches. Or, take it a step further and apply a quick filter using one of the editing apps we listed above.
These apps have a treasure trove of vintage-inspired filters, textures, and adjustments that you can easily apply with just a few taps. Did you know that many phone camera apps and social media platforms have pre-set filters too? Instagram is one of many who can add these filters in no time.
Finally, if you want that authentic vintage look, try playing around with the saturation and tone settings. That way, you can create that lovely muted or faded appearance that's mimics a vintage photograph. And remember, when snapping away, don't forget to focus on composition and subject matter. Seek out those classic, timeless subjects and let your creativity flow by experimenting with angles and framing to capture that nostalgic vibe.


To give your pictures that trendy 2000s aesthetic, adjust the colours and vibrancy of your smartphone pics to match the saturated look of that era. You’ll also want to bring the contrast up a little higher than you're used to, with a touch of fade for that famous y2k haze. Really want to make your noughties images pop? Add special effects like light leaks, date stamps and stickers of your favourite motifs like stars, hearts, glitter, you name it.
It goes without saying that your 2000s vintage photo filter will pop more so if your subject is dressed like they’re from the era too. So think low-rise jeans, blue and pink makeup, outfits from their favourite noughties stars and denim - lots and lots of denim!
How can I change my picture to look 90s?


90s images have that faded effect, achieved by decreasing the whites of an image, and upping the blacks for a little contrast. In fact, the best way to achieve that 90s aesthetic is to reverse everything you know about the 80s look. Think imperfections, blown out sections of the image, light leaks, grunge, candids and cinematic styles.
How do I make my pictures look like a disposable camera?


If you're yearning for that nostalgic charm of a disposable camera, your first point of call is to add a film grain or texture overlay. This simple trick will give your photos that slightly grainy and wonderfully imperfect appearance reminiscent of those cherished disposable camera shots.
Next, get playful with the colour tones to achieve a faded and retro vibe. For an extra touch of nostalgia, consider adding a gentle vignette effect that softly darkens the edges, just like those vintage prints from disposable cameras.
When it comes to composition, don't hesitate to capture candid and spontaneous moments, as they truly reflect the essence of disposable camera photography. Embrace the beauty of imperfections and let the raw, genuine charm shine through!
Fancy using one of our cameras to snap a vintage photo? Or are you excited at the thought of getting your edited vintage photo on a retro print? Shop photo prints and canvas wall art to bring your vintage edits to life.

