Lomo-Effect on Photographs

The Lomo-Effect on photographs is used frequently to provide an old photograph feel or simply a colour manipulation. I have made this into a written tutorial from this video tutorial from tutvid! If you are in a rush I have made an actions file that you can download and add in Photoshop easily! If you are using GIMP then checkout this tutorial.

Lomo-Effect in Photoshop

Lomo-Effect in Photoshop

1. Starting

  • Choose your image and open it in Photoshop.
  • Now go, Layer –> New Adjustment Layer –> Curves - This is the basis of the Lomo-Effect, these adjustments will change the colours:
  • Value/RGB Channel – ‘S‘ Curve, as shown:
Red Channel

RGB Curve

  • Red Channel ‘S’ Curve
Green Channel

Red Channel

  • Green Channel ‘S’ Curve
Blue Channel

Green Channel

  • Blue Channel Opposite Curve
Curves Layer Opacity 50%

Blue Channel

  • You may want to reduce the amount by setting the opacity of the Curve layer to 50%:
  • Depends on your image, however if you find it too dark experiment with Levels or Exposure.
Curves Layer Opacity 50%

Curves Layer Opacity 50%

2. Gradient Map - Overlay

  • To make it washed out with a Gradient.
  • Go, Layer –> New Adjustment Layer –> Gradient Map – make it the Black to White:
  • Dependent on your image you may want to reduce the opacity to 50%:
Gradient Map - Overlay (Opacity 50%)

Gradient Map - Overlay (Opacity 50%)

The Before and After shot:

Before & After

Before & After