Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials: Achieving a Washedout / Holga Effect

T

typographyALIVE

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This has been a technique that I have been trying to master ever since I purchased AE. Unfortunately, I see all these videos/films that utilize this technique, yet I have never been able to achieve the same effect. Although, it has become a trend, and every "hipster" (no offense to them, in fact I am one myself) desires to take photos in this style, I still am trying to make it happen.

If you are unfamiliar with the effect I speak of, please watch this video, http://theronin.co.uk/Motion/?OFFF_New_York.mov, it is a awesome look at New York, and the effect makes the short/montage just a little more awesome.

Could anyone please explain to me any tips, tricks, or tutorials that would help me get this effect in my video projects.

Thanks.

(ps. I will also be posting this in the FCP forum.)
 
It's pretty simple, you can achieve the look using Levels, Hue/Saturation and Curves. It's kind of a low contrast look, so you just pump up your output black in Levels a little bit. Add some desaturation and use Curves to bring back in some contrast/range. I didn't have a picture that resembled his source footage but I tried it on a hard daylight shot and got close.

Here's a project file and the picture if you want to take a look. Don't forget to check the adjustments in the various channels on the Hue/Saturation & Levels effects, the Curves was just a global adjustment to bring back some contrast and blacks.

www.andrewfallon.tv/goodies/grade.zip

As a note, this is kind of his trademark look and he's really dialed it in. If you check out his other videos you will see more great examples of this. I would watch the Flash on the Beach one. From what I know, he also shoots everything on a Canon HV20, sometimes with a lens adapter. Really shows what you can do with well shot footage, some planning and AE.

grade.jpg
 
^ Thank you so much! Really, it's amazing that you even supplied your working files. :)

Flash on the Beach has some amazing visuals. I've been a fan of this artist for quite some time. He defiantly has this style down.

Thanks again.
 
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