How I edit iPhone photos to look like film in less than 5 minutes

Ever wanted your iPhone photos to look more vintage? There are so many apps that can create film-like edits, these days, but I want to show you a Life Feast member favorite.

Why film? Because amidst the heat dome, a contentious election and my desire to not see new horrors on social media these days, I need to remind myself what life was like when cameras were plastic, popsicles were plentiful, life was uncomplicated, and instant gratification meant 1 hour photo labs or Polaroid cameras.    

(me as a small child, 1979)

Plus the textures, grain, light leaks, emulsions, grain and grit of the old film days make our overly glossy digitized lives look more ethereal, moody, patina'd and just plain interesting. 

If you're wanting to give your doom scrolling a creative reprieve with some nostalgic 5-minute film-esque fun on your digital camera roll, watch this quick video on how to use Mextures to do some 5-minute film-like editing techniques.

1) Download MEXTURES  
Download From APP store Here
I think it's $1.99 and it's well worth it. I make no money off of Mextures, this isn't an ad, I am just a fan girl, through and through! You can make your edits subtle and barely detectable (like my convertible photo) or you can amp up the painterly vibe for a whole new kind of inspiration. 

2) Upload a photo from your camera roll

3) Open up the editing tools. I recommend trying Light Leaks, Emulsions and Grit and Grain.

4) Save your updated photo to your camera roll.

You can keep it simple with just a subtle light leak or you can go big with different blends, recipes and creative combinations. 

We've got Heather Reardon teaching an in depth workshop in The Life Feast on film-like edits for digital photos happening on July 17, 2024. You can do so much with this app - the options are endless! But simplicity is also quite beautiful, so don't feel like you have to put every paint color on the canvas (if you know what I mean!).

Check out some examples of Mextures photos we've done inside The Life Feast. 

Shea Cochran - Life Feast member

Kristen Burris, Life Feast member

Laura Kingsbury Jones, Life Feast member


photo by Life Feast member and guest expert on Mextures, Heather Reardon