Free Photoshop actions: Vintage photo filters
22. Ultra Faded
Want to make your professionally captured photos look like they were taken with a cheap camera? Of course you do. This set of free Photoshop actions from SparkleStock recreate a faded film effect, with optional light leaks. The full (paid) set includes a whole load of different options, but you can download 11 for free. All actions are created using adjustment layers, so they'll all remain fully editable and nondestructive.
23. Vintage Light Leak
Sometimes you want Photoshop actions that can stop your photographs from looking too polished; a little imperfection can add to a shot's charm, and this vintage light leak action is one way to achieve that effect. Send it into action and you can turn any top-end DSLR shot into something that looks like it was taken on an antique camera.
24. Cross Processed
We've mentioned one free cross process Photoshop action, and here's another. This action adds drama and vivid colour effects to your images by deepening shadows and making colours more saturated. It’s especially good for stormy skies, landscapes, buildings and ocean scenes.
25. Color 024
Digital pictures are crisp and precise, but sometimes they can lack that nostalgic glow of a film photograph. By downloading this free Photoshop action, you can adjust the colour saturation and create rich, sun-bleached photos that still retain a high level of detail.
26. 2-strip Technicolor
Recreate the look of 2-strip Technicolor film by downloading this free action. Popular in the 20s and 30s, 2-strip technicolor film exposed black and white film behind a green filter and a red filter. By merging the green and blue channels in different layers, this action simulates the 2-strip look without damaging the original image.
27. Light Leaks
This handy selection of light leaks has been created using gradients, making it very flexible for adding non-destructive vintage effects to your images. The free version includes five high-quality leaks, all featuring support for 16-bit colour so you can achieve brighter-than-white highlights. And they work with video, too!
28. Hard Lomo
DeviantArt is a great place to find Photoshop actions, as this example from BlackLaceStock demonstrates. Included here is a set of actions that add a classic lomo-look to your images, akin to applying an Instagram filter.
29. Retro Style filters
Chris Spooner is well known for his excellent Photoshop tutorials and giveaways, and he doesn’t disappoint with this selection of 10 retro-style free Photoshop actions. Each of the effects is inspired by 35mm film and processing techniques, and includes some lovely gritty options as well as colour treatments.
30. Polanoid Generator 3
Turn any image into a Polaroid instantly with one of 10 different effects. It includes colour treatments and shadows automatically, and it's one of those Photoshop actions you'll use again and again.
31. The Mini Collection
Featuring some impressive retro Photoshop actions, plus a kit of light leaks and some vintage Photoshop brushes, the Mini Collection from FilterGrade is a free taster of its larger $49 FilterGrade bundle.
32. Old Photo
Want to make your images look like they've gone through a time warp? Then get experimenting with this old photo action, which adds colour and contrast. It's available from photographer and artist Sakir Yildirim on DeviantArt.
33. Portrait
Desaturate the colour in your photography with this portrait action, which creates a gorgeous vintage effect. This popular free Photoshop action is broken into two parts to enable you to pick the sharpness and saturation levels that work for you.
34. Amatorka
Create an instant action movie-style colour treatment with a blue-green cast, rich saturation and increased contrast. This Photoshop action is available for free from Amatorka on DeviantArt.
35. Set14
If you're after a vintage effect for your photography but you're not entirely sure what, nab this free Photoshop actions collection from DeviantArt user Yeonseb. It contains 14 assorted vintage actions, so you're bound to find something to your liking.
36. Vintage
This simple filter gives your photos a tinted, washed-out look with an extra neon touch that'll turn lowlights into colourful highlights. Use it to liven up your images in an instant.
37. HipstaRev
This set of actions creates Hipstamatic-style images inside Photoshop. The download includes three actions, each of which creates a recognisable treatment including borders and noise.
Free Photoshop actions: Monochrome photo filters
38. Bold B&W HDR
It's not just colour photos that you can apply the HDR treatment to. With this free Photoshop action you can give any photo a bold, black and white, HDR-style look that'll make it really stand out.
39. Infrared Photography
Add the eerie touch of a cool infrared chill to your pictures with this free Photoshop actions entry. This action creates two adjustment layers inside a layer group, allowing you to change the red and blue balance, as well as the contrast.
40. High Key
This action requires a credit if you use it, but offers a very simple way to convert a regular photograph into a stunning high-key portrait with clean lines and an almost dreamy finish, without compromising essential areas of contrast.
41. Lithprint
Create a lithograph-style image from your raw photos. This works best on larger images that have already been given a medium-contrast treatment. Download this Photoshop action for free on DeviantArt.
42. Old and Dirty
For Photoshop and Lightroom, this action will give you a 'black and white conversion with a slight twist'. Apply the action and voila! You'll get a vintage/retro feel on your photo.
