AI Retro Filter

Just describe the retro style you want and AI applies vintage film aesthetic.

Modern digital portrait with crisp saturated colors — Before

→

Retro portrait with faded warm film aesthetic and grain — After

Apply Retro Filter to Photos

Drop your photo here

or click to browse

Release to upload

Free • No signup

Popular use cases:

Portrait photography
Travel photography
Social media photos
Instagram aesthetic
Lifestyle photography
Vintage branding
Nostalgia marketing
Throwback photos

Cost: Free No signup required
Time: Instant results in 15-30 seconds
Works on: Any device - browser, phone, tablet, desktop
Powered by: AI-powered photo editing

Scenario	Prompt	Time
Standard retro	`apply retro filter with faded colors, film grain, and warm vintage tones`	15s
80s film look	`make it look like vintage 80s film with warm faded colors and slight grain`	15s
90s disposable camera	`apply 90s disposable camera filter with light leaks, grain, and faded tones`	20s
70s vintage film	`make it look like 70s vintage film with warm orange tones and faded colors`	20s

How it works

Upload your photo

Drop your image into EditThisPic. JPG, PNG, WebP up to 7MB. Works best on portraits, travel photos, and lifestyle shots where vintage aesthetic adds nostalgic character.

Expect: Retro filter application: 15-20 seconds. No refinements typically needed.
Describe the retro style you want

Type your instruction: 'apply retro filter' or 'make it look like vintage 80s film with warm faded colors and grain.' Be specific about the era (70s, 80s, 90s) or film type if you have preferences. No marking needed—the AI applies the vintage aesthetic globally.

Tip: Mention specific film stocks ('Kodachrome look'), eras ('90s disposable camera'), or characteristics ('warm faded with light leaks') to guide the aesthetic. The AI adjusts based on your description.

Copy one of these to get started:

Standard retro filter apply retro filter with faded colors, film grain, and warm vintage tones
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80s film look make it look like vintage 80s film with warm faded colors and slight grain
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90s disposable camera apply 90s disposable camera filter with light leaks, grain, and faded tones
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70s vintage film make it look like 70s vintage film with warm orange tones and faded colors
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2 more prompts

Polaroid instant film apply Polaroid instant film look with soft colors, slight blur, and vintage border aesthetic
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Kodachrome film stock make it look like Kodachrome film with rich warm colors and vintage film grain
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Generate and review

AI applies the retro aesthetic with faded colors, film grain, warm tones, and vintage character. Check the overall vibe and make sure the throwback look matches your vision.

Try it free ↓

Apply Retro Filter to Photos

Drop your photo here

or click to browse

Release to upload

Free • No signup

"Made my digital photos look like they were shot on vintage film. Just typed 'retro 90s look' and it nailed the aesthetic perfectly." @vintagevibes

See it in action

Portrait with retro vintage filter

Applied retro film aesthetic to a modern portrait, creating faded colors and warm nostalgic tones with subtle grain.

Prompt: apply retro filter with faded colors, film grain, and warm vintage tones

Try This →

Modern travel photo with sharp digital clarity — Before

Retro 90s disposable camera look with faded tones and grain — After

Travel photo with 90s disposable camera look

Transformed a travel photo into a nostalgic 90s throwback with light leaks, grain, and faded disposable camera aesthetic.

Prompt: apply 90s disposable camera filter with light leaks, grain, and faded tones

Try This →

If something looks off

AI changed the wrong area or applied filter I didn't want

Why: Retro filters apply globally by default. The AI couldn't determine from description alone that you wanted selective vintage on certain areas.

Try:

Tap markers on specific areas you want retro (like a subject or foreground), then regenerate with 'apply retro filter only to marked areas'

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Tip: Use markers when you want selective vintage—like making a subject retro while leaving a modern background unchanged.

Colors look too faded or washed out

Why: Retro filters reduce saturation and add fading to mimic old film. The AI may have gone too far for your preference.

Try: Try: 'apply subtle retro filter' or 'vintage look but keep some color saturation'

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Tip: Start with subtle retro. You can always regenerate with stronger fading if the first pass is too mild.

Grain looks too strong or distracting

Why: Film grain is part of the retro aesthetic, but the AI may have added more than you wanted.

Try: Use: 'apply retro filter with minimal grain' or 'vintage look with subtle film texture'

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Tip: Specify grain intensity in your prompt. Say 'slight grain' or 'minimal texture' if you want a cleaner retro look.

Retro effect doesn't match the era or style I wanted

Why: The AI interpreted 'retro' generically. Different eras have distinct aesthetics—70s warm oranges, 80s pastels, 90s cool fades.

Try:

Be specific about the era: '70s vintage film with warm orange tones' or '90s disposable camera with light leaks and cool tones'

Try This →

Tip: Reference specific film stocks (Kodachrome, Polaroid) or decades to guide the AI toward the exact aesthetic you want.

Quick answers

Do I need to mark areas before applying a retro filter?

No! For most retro filters, just describe what you want: 'apply retro filter' or 'make it look like vintage 80s film.' The AI applies the aesthetic globally. Only use markers when you need selective vintage—like making a subject retro while leaving a modern background unchanged.

How do I make a photo look retro for free?

Upload your photo to EditThisPic and type 'apply retro filter' or 'make it look like vintage film from the 80s.' The AI will add faded colors, grain, and warm tones in 15-20 seconds. Completely free to try, no signup required, no watermarks.

What makes a photo look retro or vintage?

Retro photos have faded colors, film grain, warm tones, reduced contrast, and sometimes light leaks or vignetting. These characteristics mimic the look of analog film from the 70s, 80s, or 90s and create a nostalgic throwback aesthetic.

Can I choose a specific decade for the retro look?

Yes. Be specific in your prompt: '70s vintage film with warm orange tones,' '80s film with faded pastels,' or '90s disposable camera with cool tones and light leaks.' The AI adjusts the aesthetic based on the era you describe.

Ready to apply retro filter to your photos?

Free to try. No signup required.

AI Retro Filter

How it works

Upload your photo

Describe the retro style you want

Generate and review

See it in action

Portrait with retro vintage filter

Travel photo with 90s disposable camera look

If something looks off

Quick answers

Related Tools

Ready to apply retro filter to your photos?