Kodak Ektachrome Fade – Inspired Lightroom Preset

Introduction

The Kodak Ektachrome Fade – Inspired Lightroom Preset blends Ektachrome’s vivid slide-film color with a gentle vintage fade via a custom tone curve. Expect rich blues and greens, clean whites, natural skin tones, and a soft lifted-shadow look that feels timeless. Perfect for travel, portraits, lifestyle, and editorial work when you want a modern image with classic film character.

History of Kodak Ektachrome

Introduced in the 1940s, Kodak Ektachrome is a daylight-balanced color reversal (slide) film known for vivid yet accurate color, fine grain, and crisp contrast. It became a favorite for magazines, fashion, travel, and landscapes—anywhere transparency film’s punch and clarity were prized. After a brief discontinuation, Kodak revived Ektachrome, reaffirming its enduring appeal and iconic look.

Film Characteristics

What defines Kodak Ektachrome in practice?

• Film Type & Speed: Color reversal (slide) film; typically ISO 100 varieties are most popular today.
• Grain Structure: Fine grain with excellent detail and clean edges.
• Color Saturation: Vivid blues/greens, natural reds, and balanced skin tones.
• Contrast: Bright, punchy contrast with smooth highlight roll-off when exposed well.
• Processing: E-6 slide processing for consistent professional results.

Kodak Ektachrome Fade – Inspired Lightroom Preset

This free preset blends Ektachrome’s vivid color with a gentle film fade using a custom tone curve. Colors are punchy yet controlled; blues and greens feel deep and cinematic; reds stay natural. Skin tones remain flattering for portraits, while the lifted-shadow fade adds a nostalgic polish to travel and lifestyle shots. A subtle fine-grain simulation and tuned highlight roll-off keep the look clean across bright daylight and softer, low-light scenes. Get the free preset here. Here’s what you can expect:

• Film-Like Fade: Custom tone curve softly lifts shadows and smooths highlights.
• Vivid, Controlled Color: Rich blues/greens with natural skin tones and clean whites.
• Fine Grain Overlay: Adds subtle texture without heavy noise.
• Balanced Contrast: Preserves detail while keeping the vintage vibe intact.

Conclusion

The Kodak Ektachrome Fade – Inspired Lightroom Preset delivers the crisp, vibrant character of slide film with an elegant, modern fade. If you want images that feel nostalgic yet polished—ideal for travel, portraits, and editorial—this preset brings Ektachrome’s classic look into a fast, flexible digital workflow.

Key Takeaways

Feature

Details

Film Type & Speed

Ektachrome-inspired slide look (commonly ISO 100); vivid color + clean contrast

Sharpness & Grain

Fine grain feel with crisp edge detail

Color Reproduction

Rich blues/greens, natural reds, faithful skin tones

Best For

Travel, lifestyle, portraits, editorial, and clean commercial looks

Processing

E-6 heritage (slide film aesthetic emulated via preset)

Flexibility

Balanced in bright light and low light; adjustable fade curve

 

FAQs

Q: What makes Kodak Ektachrome Fade different?

A: A custom tone curve adds a subtle film fade while preserving Ektachrome’s vivid, clean color palette.

Q: Is it good for portraits?

A: Yes—skin tones stay natural and flattering, with gentle highlight roll-off.

Q: Does it work on RAW and JPEG?

A: Absolutely. RAW offers the most latitude, but JPEGs also benefit from the color and fade curve.

Q: Can I change the fade strength?

A: Yes—reduce or increase the effect by adjusting the tone curve points or global contrast.

Q: Is this part of a collection?

A: It pairs perfectly with the Complete Lightroom Collection, which includes additional film-inspired looks.

Q: Where can I download the free preset?

A: Get the free Kodak Ektachrome Fade preset here: FreePresets.com