Finding combinations of tools that work together in tandem can help you discover new creative possibilities while editing your images. Grain and Fade are two tools that combine to create a distinct look. Explore the examples below, and get a few tips along the way for giving them a try yourself.

Using Grain and Fade together makes for a more textured and muted look. It creates a sense of age or timelessness, as both of these tools have strong roots in vintage film photography.

Grain adds small granular artifacts to the surface of an image. This look originates from high sensitivity camera films that create grain as a result of physical and chemical properties. The Grain tool mimics this effect and can help add a subtle layer of texture to an image.

Fade creates a washed-out and muted effect, more commonly associated with old prints that have lost some of their color over time. You'll notice Fade turns black shadows into gray tones, and colors become flattened and less saturated.

Experiment with different levels of each tool to strike a balance that works for your image. Different presets will also play to the strengths of different tools. Try using Fade to balance out highly saturated presets like AU5. Black and white presets like KT32 are often enhanced with an extra bit of Grain. Once you find a combo you like, save it as a Recipe to easily replicate the look in the future.