Film grain is a textural feature of the photochemical film that can be replicated as a digital image aesthetic. In photographs created using celluloid film, film grain is an optical effect that looks like a huge field of small particles. It's an emulsion made up of light-sensitive silver halide crystals that records pictures on film and give them a gritty feel.

The movement of 35mm film frames provides a shifting granular texture that gives the image a specific aesthetic character since motion films run at 24 frames per second and no two frames have the same arrangement of grains. Graininess is no longer a common feature in cinema, as most films are now shot using digital cameras. Without utilizing photochemical film, filmmakers can create the appearance of film grain using editing software.

Although the terms "film grain" and "digital noise" are frequently used interchangeably, they are not the same. Because image sensors' resolution and light sensitivity were poorer in the early days of digital filmmaking, some images featured digital noise. Digital noise, rather than actual silver halide crystals, is made up of pixels that represent incomplete digital data. Because digital sensors have gotten far more sensitive, digital noise is significantly less common today.

Film grain is biological and impossible to calibrate correctly because celluloid film is analog technology. Film grain is caused by a variety of factors, including:

The graininess of your film will be increased by both considerable under- and over-exposure. Underexposure, which occurs when there is insufficient light in a photograph, is more likely to bring out the grain. Overexposure, especially in the highlights and mid-tones, will provide a similar look.

In photochemical film processing, "pushing" the exposure (keeping the film in the developing solution for longer than the recommended time) increases the graininess of the final image.

Often known as the film speed is a numerical representation of the film stock's light sensitivity. Higher ISO film (sometimes called "faster") is more light-sensitive, but has larger and more evident grain, whereas low-ISO film is considerably clearer and has less visible grain.

Film grain is no longer a physical component of the image, but a stylistic decision in the digital era. In contrast to the ultra-crisp and clear photos produced by high-resolution digital cameras, grain lends the image a "film effect." Post-production software, digital photography software, and film overlays can all be used to achieve the look of film grain:

Raw footage is nearly always modified in post-production software, and it can be colour-corrected and altered on set to offer the director and cinematographer a sample of the final product. Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere both have film grain plugins in their editing suites. To get the desired appearance, editors can tweak grain size, structure, and texture.

Most digital photography software, such as Photoshop, comes with a noise filter that you may adjust to add more or less film grain to still images.

When creating a film grain overlay in cinema editing, it's normally necessary to download one. To produce the effect, download an overlay plugin and combine it with a blend mode in your editing software.

Some filmmakers like digital video's sharpness, while others prefer grain's softness and richness. Fine-grain texture can soften contrasting areas of light and darkness, even providing a subtle glowing effect, yet very grainy photos can create an atmosphere of gritty realism. The encounter may take on a nostalgic or dreamy tone as a result.

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