Real exampleFilm grain portrait with a light leak
A soft analog-style portrait of you with grain and a warm light leak at the edge.
Make it yours
Viral trend
Film grain photo trend: 5 prompts to try
The film grain trend, sometimes called the anti-AI look, makes a photo deliberately imperfect: visible grain, light leaks, a little blur and the soft colour of an analog print. It looks more like a real moment and less like a polished edit.
Real example
Real exampleGrainy afternoon portrait by a window
A quiet, imperfect portrait of you in window light with grain and a soft haze.
Make it yours
Real exampleFilm grain photo on a train journey
A candid, grainy photo of you on a train with blurred fields rushing past.
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Real exampleGrainy family photo on the terrace
An unposed, grainy family photo on a terrace in soft evening light.
Make it yours
Real exampleFilm grain street photo with motion blur
A moody grainy photo of you standing still while the street rushes past in blur.
Make it yours
Why it's trending
Many AI pictures look glossy and too perfect. Grain, slight blur and uneven light make an image feel human and lived-in, which is why people are choosing this look on purpose.
How to make it
- Pick a photo of yourself, or of people who agree to be in it, in natural light.
- Choose a prompt above and set the grain amount and scene in Customise.
- Copy the prompt, open ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok, upload the photo and paste it.
- Check faces and skin tone; grain should not hide or change features.
Tips
- Ask for 'subtle', 'medium' or 'heavy' grain to control the look.
- Light leaks look best at the edge of the frame, away from faces.
- A slightly off-centre crop makes the photo feel more candid.
- If the result still looks too clean, ask for softer focus and less contrast.
Use photos with care
Use only your own photo, or photos of people who have agreed to be edited. An imperfect look does not make an edited photo real; do not present it as an unedited picture where that matters. Check faces before sharing.
Questions
Does 'anti-AI' mean the photo hides that it was edited?
No. It is only a visual style. The photo is still an AI edit, and you should say so where it matters.
Why is my face blurry?
The prompts ask for blur at the edges and in motion, not on the face. Ask the model to keep the face in focus if it softens.
Can I use a phone photo?
Yes. Any clear photo works; the prompts add the grain and analog look.