Film grain is more than just a retro film texture. It’s a feeling. What used to be an unavoidable side effect of shooting on film is now a deliberate creative choice.

These days, filmmakers use grain to dial up nostalgia and add a layer of authenticity you just don’t get with squeaky-clean digital footage. Because let’s be honest, perfect can feel a bit lifeless. Film grain brings back that warmth and emotional storytelling with its grit and human feel. It adds character.

So why does something technically “imperfect” look so good? And why are we still drawn to it in a world obsessed with flawless visuals?

What’s The Difference Between Film Grain and Digital Noise?

First things first, let’s make clear the difference between film grain and digital noise.

In a nutshell, noise is interference from a digital sensor, whereas grain is texture from an individual stock of analogue film. Two very different things.

The amount of grain depends on the speed and size of the film stock and the amount of light being used. The higher the film speed, the more pronounced the grain will be. Noise, on the other hand, can appear by raising the exposure or stretching the camera beyond its natural dynamic range. It can’t handle what you’re throwing at it!

You’ll find a similar comparison in the world of sound. Noise is like the horrible hiss you get from your speakers being too loud, whilst grain is like the texture you get when a needle softly caresses the vinyl on a record player. Who doesn’t love that sound?!

Film Grain: Perfectly Imperfect

Film grain tends to feel intentional in the best way possible:

An organic texture created by light hitting real film stock
Adds mood, depth and atmosphere instantly
Brings that nostalgic, cinematic feel audiences love
Changes depending on film stock, ISO and exposure
Now recreated digitally in post-production to bring the analogue character back

Digital Noise: An Unwanted Guest

Digital noise, on the other hand, is not so welcome:

A by-product of camera sensors struggling (usually in low light)
Looks harsh, blotchy and distracting
Shows up most at high ISO or in darker scenes
Flattens detail instead of enhancing it
Usually, something editors try to fix in post-production

Our Recent Experience

For one of our recent shoots with Ampify, we had the pleasure of experimenting with different mediums, including Super 8mm film and 35mm photography.

Knowing that I would be working with both film and digital photography on the shoot, I wanted to make the differences between the two less distinguishable, emulating the look of 35mm in digital.

I was quite keen to put my trusted Sony a7S to the test to see how adding grain in Lightroom would feel in comparison to the natural grain I got from PORTRA 800 and Kodak Ultramax 400 film stock.

There is inherent grittiness to anything shot on film. The grain is much more pronounced, giving the overall product a genuine, somewhat nostalgic cinematic texture. It was something we took into consideration when putting together our mood board for the shoot.

We wanted the photography to have the impact of a memory, something that cuts through the noise and feels more personal and sentimental, capturing a moment.

Looking For That Retro Grain Film Texture?

Although technological advancements have expanded our skill set, there is still something about that stylistic film look that feels so relatable. Our nostalgia has become an aesthetic.

Part of the appeal is that film grain gives off that vintage vibe that feels timeless. You could argue that with most modern digital cameras, the output is too crisp and sharp. It takes away the familiarity the audience longs for to connect with the imagery.

“One of the interesting factors of digitisation is the steep rise in nostalgia for physicality…nobody ever really talked about the smell of books until ebooks started to threaten their existence. All of a sudden, we became nostalgic for a quality that we never really noticed before.

—— the Nerdwriter

A clear argument for the importance of film grain is not just that high-profile filmmakers and photographers use film every year, but also that the same gritty look one gets with the format is something people are still trying to replicate in the digital world.

Whether it’s artificial scratches or film grain plugins, the fact that these anomalies exist tells us that the look itself is still incredibly desirable. There’s no wonder why digital is trying to emulate the look of film!

So next time you’re organising a shoot, instead of throwing fake grain over your imagery, perhaps consider experimenting with different formats. There’s something inherently attractive about this kind of imagery, which, ironically enough, is essentially a flawed image.

Check out our projects where we demonstrate storytelling through visuals. Thinking about bringing this look into your work? We’re always up for a conversation. Get in touch here.